This gene is a member of the H/ACA snoRNPs (small nucleolar
ribonucleoproteins) gene family.
snoRNPs are involved in various aspects of
rRNA processing and modification and have been classified into two families: C/D and H/ACA. The H/ACA snoRNPs also include the
DKC1,
NOLA1 and NOLA3 proteins. These four H/ACA snoRNP proteins localize to the dense
fibrillar components of
nucleoli and coiled (
Cajal) bodies in the nucleus. Both 18S rRNA production and rRNA
pseudouridylation are impaired if any of the four proteins is depleted. The four H/ACA snoRNP proteins are also components of the
telomerase complex. This gene encodes a protein related to Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Nhp2p. Two transcript variants encoding different
isoforms have been found for this gene. ==References==