U2 small nuclear RNA (U2 snRNA)

U2 small nuclear RNA is a highly conserved, non-coding RNA found in all eukaryotic cells, acting as a core catalytic RNA element within the major spliceosome[1][2]. It functions as part of the U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (U2 snRNP) complex and is essential for pre-mRNA splicing; the U2 snRNA base pairs with the branch point sequence (BPS) of introns, positioning the branch adenosine for the first catalytic step of splicing, and forms critical RNA-RNA and RNA-protein contacts for spliceosome assembly and function[1][2][3]. U2 snRNA is heavily modified post-transcriptionally (including by pseudouridylation and 2′-O-methylation), and these modifications are vital for proper snRNP assembly and splicing function[4]. The dynamic rearrangement and RNA-protein interactions involving U2 snRNA are central to the conformational and catalytic activities of the spliceosome[7]. While not a direct therapeutic target like enzymes or receptors, disruption in U2 snRNA function or spliceosome assembly can cause global defects in gene expression and is implicated in disease through general splicing errors[1][2].

Other names

U2 spliceosomal RNAU2 snRNAU2 spliceosomal small nuclear RNALOC124904145