SNRNP35

SNRNP35 Full Name

small nuclear ribonucleoprotein 35kDa (U11/U12)

SNRNP35 Introduction

SNRNP35, or small nuclear ribonucleoprotein 35 kDa, is a conserved RNA-binding protein that functions as a component of the minor spliceosome, the specialized machinery responsible for removing U12-type introns from pre-mRNA. Although these introns represent a small fraction of the human genome, they occur in genes critical for cell signaling, development, and neuronal function. SNRNP35 contributes to the assembly and stability of snRNP particles and participates in recognizing and processing these low-abundance introns. Because accurate splicing is essential for producing functional proteins, SNRNP35 plays an important role in maintaining RNA maturation fidelity and overall gene-expression homeostasis.

Figure 1. The core role of SNRNP35 in biology and its associated physiological functions.

Functionally, SNRNP35 assists in the catalytic steps of minor intron splicing by interacting with specific small nuclear RNAs and coordinating structural transitions within the spliceosome. Its activity ensures proper exon–intron junction recognition, efficient transition through splicing intermediates, and the generation of mature transcripts from minor intron-containing genes. Experimental studies show that reduction or loss of SNRNP35 disrupts minor intron removal, leading to intron retention, abnormal mRNA isoforms, and impaired translation of key regulatory proteins. These defects can influence pathways involved in neuronal excitability, immune signaling, and cellular stress adaptation. Emerging data also suggest that SNRNP35 expression may be dynamically regulated under physiological stress, linking RNA splicing to broader cellular responses.

Clinically, dysregulation of SNRNP35 has been associated with neuropsychiatric and developmental disorders. Altered expression or genetic variation in SNRNP35 has been linked to conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, where disrupted minor intron splicing may affect neuronal signaling networks involved in stress reactivity and memory processing. Models of impaired SNRNP35 function demonstrate widespread transcriptomic changes that may contribute to neurological dysfunction, highlighting the sensitivity of minor intron-containing genes to splicing perturbation. Beyond the nervous system, deficiencies in minor spliceosome components—including SNRNP35—have been connected to congenital syndromes and inflammatory phenotypes, underscoring the protein's importance in precise RNA processing and its potential relevance as a biomarker in disease mechanisms and therapeutic research.

Alternate Names for SNRNP35

SNRNP35; small nuclear ribonucleoprotein 35kDa (U11/U12); U11/U12 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein 35 kDa protein; U1 snRNP binding protein homolog; U1SNRNPBP; HM 1; U1 snRNP binding protein homolog; U11/U12 snRNP 35K; U11/U12 snRNP 35K, isoform b; U11/U12

• 1. Huckins LM, et al.; Analysis of Genetically Regulated Gene Expression Identifies a Prefrontal PTSD Gene, SNRNP35, Specific to Military Cohorts. Cell Rep. 2020, 31(9):107716.