Small nucleolar RNA host gene 11 (SNHG11)

Small nucleolar RNA host gene 11 (SNHG11) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that does not encode a protein but plays significant regulatory roles in gene expression, chromatin remodeling, and post-transcriptional regulation through interactions with DNA, RNA, and proteins. It hosts two small nucleolar RNAs within its introns and is predominantly localized to the nucleus, especially in cancer cells. SNHG11 is upregulated in various human cancers (including colorectal, lung, and triple-negative breast cancer) and has been shown to promote tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and resistance to apoptosis, in part via interaction with HIF-1α and as a competing endogenous RNA for various microRNAs. Due to its dysregulation in disease states and role in modulating critical disease pathways, it is under study as both a biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in oncology and inflammatory disease settings. No approved drugs currently target SNHG11 directly, but its mechanisms involve epigenetic regulation, microRNA interaction, and stabilization of oncogenic protein partners.

Other names

LINC00101Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 101C20orf198NCRNA00101Small nucleolar RNA host gene (non-protein coding) 11SNHG11

SNHG11 acts as a scaffold or guide RNA to interact with and stabilize protein partners (e.g., HIF-1α), preventing their degradation and supporting transcription of oncogenic genes under hypoxia. Functions as a ceRNA to sponge various miRNAs, thereby derepressing target oncogenes. Modifies chromatin state to regulate expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and differentiation.