Orphan C/D box snoRNAs modulate fear-related memory processes in mice

Abstract

C/D box small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) comprise a class of small noncoding RNAs with important regulatory effects on cellular RNA function. Although it is well established that snoRNAs coordinate the post-transcriptional modification of pre-ribosomal and small nuclear RNAs by 2-O-methylation, which leads to enhanced RNA stability, whether they are necessary for memory-related processes remains relatively unexplored. Using targeted sequencing, we have identified more than 150 C/D box snoRNAs in the prefrontal cortex of male C57BL/6J mice, 31 of which are differentially expressed in response to fear extinction learning. We have also discovered a subset of snoRNAs, including many orphans, that are enriched in the synaptic compartment, including the orphan snoRNA snord64. An extinction learning-induced increase in synapse-enriched snord64 led to increased 2-O-methylation within the 3-UTR of the mRNA encoding the ubiquitin ligase RNF146. This effect was blocked by snord64 knockdown and was accompanied by attenuated forgetting of conditioned fear and the enhanced retrieval of fear extinction memory. Localized activity of orphan snoRNAs therefore represents a novel mechanism associated with fear-related learning and memory. Significance statementWe have discovered a population of experience-dependent small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), and found that several of these are recruited to the synaptic compartment in response to fear extinction learning. In particular, the orphan snoRNA, snord64, drives the methylation of the mRNA encoding the ubiquitin ligase, RNF146, with a reduction in snord64 attenuating forgetting of conditioned fear and enhancing the retrieval of fear extinction memory. This study reveals a new mechanism of gene regulation associated with fear-related memory that involves the activity of synapse-enriched snoRNAs.