Small nucleolar RNA SNORD102

In molecular biology, snoRNA U102 (also known as SNORD102) is a non-coding RNA (ncRNA) molecule which functions in the modification of other small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs). This type of modifying RNA is usually located in the nucleolus of the eukaryotic cell which is a major site of snRNA biogenesis. It is known as a small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) and also often referred to as a guide RNA.

snoRNA U102 belongs to the C/D box class of snoRNAs which contain the conserved sequence motifs known as the C box (UGAUGA) and the D box (CUGA). Most of the members of the box C/D family function in directing site-specific 2'-O-methylation of substrate RNAs.

U102 was identified by computational screening of the introns of ribosomal protein genes for conserved C/D box sequence motifs and expression experimentally verified by northern blotting. It is found within intron 2 of the L21 ribosomal protein gene. The H/ACA box snoRNA ACA27 is found in the same host gene within a different intron.

U102 is predicted to guide the 2'O-ribose methylation of 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) residue G4020.