Details for: SNORC

Gene ID: 389084

Gene Type:  Protein-coding  - A gene that serves as a template for producing a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, which is then translated into a functional protein.

Symbol: SNORC

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000182600

Description: secondary ossification center associated regulator of chondrocyte maturation

Selected Context(s):  Overall

Cell Significance Landscape

Contexts:

Associated with

Significant Cells

Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores for the chosen context(s)

  • chondrocyte CL0000138
    CSI 12.83
    rCSI 20.41%
    PRS 89.62
  • transit amplifying cell of colon CL0009011
    CSI 12.62
    rCSI 14.82%
    PRS 93.24
  • colon goblet cell CL0009039
    CSI 8.57
    rCSI 20.37%
    PRS 94.14
  • colon epithelial cell CL0011108
    CSI 7.8
    rCSI 8.17%
    PRS 91.2
  • tuft cell of colon CL0009041
    CSI 5.39
    rCSI 12.56%
    PRS 94.17
  • fallopian tube secretory epithelial cell CL4030006
    CSI 5.38
    rCSI 5.18%
    PRS 92.02
  • intestine goblet cell CL0019031
    CSI 5.2
    rCSI 4.62%
    PRS 91.15
  • brush cell CL0002204
    CSI 5.18
    rCSI 10.26%
    PRS 94.86
  • goblet cell CL0000160
    CSI 4.45
    rCSI 4.2%
    PRS 91.14
  • pvalb GABAergic cortical interneuron CL4023018
    CSI 3.28
    rCSI 4.08%
    PRS 80.79
  • transit amplifying cell CL0009010
    CSI 2.88
    rCSI 4.4%
    PRS 95.66
  • basal cell of epidermis CL0002187
    CSI 2.83
    rCSI 5.01%
    PRS 67.25
  • intestinal epithelial cell CL0002563
    CSI 2.79
    rCSI 2.91%
    PRS 91.2
  • luminal epithelial cell of mammary gland CL0002326
    CSI 2.42
    rCSI 4.4%
    PRS 96.43
  • hepatocyte CL0000182
    CSI 2.08
    rCSI 3.72%
    PRS 91.61
  • intestinal crypt stem cell of colon CL0009043
    CSI 1.57
    rCSI 11.76%
    PRS 96.29
  • transit amplifying cell of small intestine CL0009012
    CSI 1.52
    rCSI 6.67%
    PRS 95.34
  • paneth cell of colon CL0009009
    CSI 1.13
    rCSI 11.08%
    PRS 95.15
  • glial cell CL0000125
    CSI 1.12
    rCSI 4.27%
    PRS 87.86
  • melanocyte of skin CL1000458
    CSI 1.09
    rCSI 1.49%
    PRS 67.18
  • CD8-positive, alpha-beta memory T cell, CD45RO-positive CL0001203
    CSI 1.04
    rCSI 1.26%
    PRS 75.57
  • enterocyte of epithelium of large intestine CL0002071
    CSI 0.96
    rCSI 5.05%
    PRS 94.34
  • suprabasal keratinocyte CL4033013
    CSI 0.8
    rCSI 1.3%
    PRS 67.45

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this specific cell.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.
Network Configuration

Explore relationships of the current gene. Select an Interaction Source: 'ONTOLOGY' for shared pathways (GO/Reactome) or 'STRING' for protein-protein interactions. Further refine by selecting context genes and comparing Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores between baseline and target cell types and their specific contexts.

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Comma-separated if multiple.
Legend:
  • Query Gene
  • Node Color (Target Cell CSI, relative to current network):
    • Very High
    • High
    • Medium
    • Low
    • Very Low
    • CSI N/A
  • Node Size: Proportional to Target Cell CSI magnitude
  • STRING PPI Edge
  • Shared Pathway Edge (ONTOLOGY)

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Other Information

This section provides additional information about the gene, including a description generated by an AI language model and details about associated proteins.

## Summary [SNORC](/details-gene/389084) (Secondary Ossification Center Associated Regulator of Chondrocyte Maturation) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 2q37.1. Functionally, it is annotated as a small membrane proteoglycan involved in cartilage development ([Link](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2011.04.016)). Consistent with its name and function, its expression is most significant in `[chondrocytes](/details-cell/CL0000138)`. The protein is localized to the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and the extracellular region, particularly within the collagen-containing extracellular matrix, as defined by Gene Ontology annotations. While its primary role appears to be in skeletal biology, significant expression is also noted in specific epithelial cell populations of the colon, suggesting additional functions. ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression profile of [SNORC](/details-gene/389084) highlights a highly specific cellular distribution. **Overall**, the gene demonstrates its most profound significance in `[chondrocytes](/details-cell/CL0000138)` (CSI: 12.83), which aligns with its established role as a regulator of chondrocyte maturation during skeletal development. This finding is strongly supported by research identifying it as a cartilage-specific proteoglycan ([Link](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2011.04.016)). Interestingly, beyond its role in cartilage, [SNORC](/details-gene/389084) shows a distinct and significant expression pattern within the intestinal epithelium. It is highly significant in `[transit amplifying cell of colon](/details-cell/CL0009011)` (CSI: 12.62) and secretory lineages derived from them, including `[colon goblet cell](/details-cell/CL0009039)` (CSI: 8.57) and `[tuft cell of colon](/details-cell/CL0009041)` (CSI: 5.39). This suggests a potential, previously uncharacterized role for [SNORC](/details-gene/389084) in the maintenance, proliferation, or differentiation of the colonic epithelial lining. Lower yet notable significance is observed in other specialized epithelial and progenitor cells, such as `[fallopian tube secretory epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL4030006)` (CSI: 5.38), `[basal cell of epidermis](/details-cell/CL0002187)` (CSI: 2.83), and `[hepatocyte](/details-cell/CL0000182)` (CSI: 2.08), indicating a broader, albeit highly cell-type-specific, function outside of the skeletal system. ## Pathways and Molecular Function The known functions of [SNORC](/details-gene/389084) are primarily linked to skeletal biology. Its involvement in the biological process of **cartilage development** ([GO:0051216](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/term/GO:0051216)) is the most well-defined aspect of its function, consistent with its high expression in `[chondrocytes](/details-cell/CL0000138)`. At the molecular level, [SNORC](/details-gene/389084) is known to participate in **protein binding** ([GO:0005515](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/term/GO:0005515)). This function is likely carried out at its subcellular locations, which include the **membrane** ([GO:0016020](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/term/GO:0016020)), **cell periphery** ([GO:0071944](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/term/GO:0071944)), and the **extracellular region** ([GO:0005576](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/term/GO:0005576)). Its presence in the **collagen-containing extracellular matrix** ([GO:0062023](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/term/GO:0062023)) suggests it interacts with matrix components to mediate its regulatory effects on cell maturation, a role that could be relevant in both cartilage and the intestinal crypt environment. ## Research Directions The dual-expression pattern of [SNORC](/details-gene/389084) in both cartilage and the intestinal epithelium opens up several avenues for future investigation. Its specific roles in these distinct tissues warrant further exploration. **Proposed Hypotheses:** 1. In cartilage, [SNORC](/details-gene/389084) on the surface of `[chondrocytes](/details-cell/CL0000138)` may function as a co-receptor that modulates signaling pathways (e.g., FGF, Wnt) in response to changes in the extracellular matrix, thereby controlling the progression from proliferative to hypertrophic states. 2. The high significance of [SNORC](/details-gene/389084) in `[transit amplifying cell of colon](/details-cell/CL0009011)` and their daughter `[colon goblet cells](/details-cell/CL0009039)` suggests it plays a role in regulating the differentiation and maturation of secretory cell lineages within the colonic crypt. **Suggested Experimental Approach:** To test the second hypothesis regarding its role in the intestine, a compelling experiment would be to generate a conditional knockout of [SNORC](/details-gene/389084) in the intestinal epithelium of mice (e.g., using a Villin-Cre driver). Intestinal organoids could then be cultured from these knockout mice and control littermates. A combination of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and histological staining (e.g., Alcian blue for mucins produced by goblet cells) would be used to assess whether the loss of [SNORC](/details-gene/389084) alters the proportions and maturation state of the different epithelial cell types, particularly the secretory lineages. **Therapeutic Potential:** Given its high specificity for `[chondrocytes](/details-cell/CL0000138)` and its localization as a cell surface proteoglycan, [SNORC](/details-gene/389084) presents a potential therapeutic target for cartilage-related disorders such as osteoarthritis. If its dysregulation contributes to cartilage degradation, strategies could focus on **activation** via recombinant protein delivery or small molecules to promote cartilage maintenance and repair. Conversely, if it promotes pathological ossification, targeted **inhibition** using monoclonal antibodies could be considered. Its specificity is a major advantage, though its significant expression in the colon warrants careful evaluation for potential on-target, off-tissue side effects.

Genular Protein ID: 2780902380

Symbol: SNORC_HUMAN

Name: N/A

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

Q6UX34

Database IDs:

AGR 1 AlphaFoldDB 1 Antibodypedia 1 Bgee 1 BioGRID 1 BioGRID-ORCS 1 BioMuta 1 CCDS 1 CTD 1 ChiTaRS 1 DMDM 1 DNASU 1 DisGeNET 1 EMBL 4 Ensembl 4 ExpressionAtlas 1 GO 6 GeneCards 1 GeneTree 1 GenomeRNAi 1 HGNC 1 HOGENOM 1 HPA 1 InParanoid 1 IntAct 1 InterPro 1 KEGG 1 MANE-Select 1 NCBI Taxonomy 1 OMA 1 OpenTargets 1 OrthoDB 1 PANTHER 2 PRO 1 PathwayCommons 1 PaxDb 1 PeptideAtlas 1 Pfam 1 PharmGKB 1 Pharos 1 PhosphoSitePlus 1 PhylomeDB 1 Proteomes 1 RNAct 1 RefSeq 6 SMR 1 SignaLink 1 TreeFam 1 UCSC 1 VEuPathDB 1 eggNOG 1 neXtProt 1

Citations:

PubMed ID: 12975309

Title: The secreted protein discovery initiative (SPDI), a large-scale effort to identify novel human secreted and transmembrane proteins: a bioinformatics assessment.

PubMed ID: 12975309

DOI: 10.1101/gr.1293003

PubMed ID: 15489334

Title: The status, quality, and expansion of the NIH full-length cDNA project: the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC).

PubMed ID: 15489334

DOI: 10.1101/gr.2596504

PubMed ID: 21624478

Title: Snorc is a novel cartilage specific small membrane proteoglycan expressed in differentiating and articular chondrocytes.

PubMed ID: 21624478

DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2011.04.016

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 121
  • Mass: 12073
  • Checksum: E8AFD93BD421B7EC
  • Sequence:
    • MASCLALRMA LLLVSGVLAP AVLTDDVPQE PVPTLWNEPA ELPSGEGPVE STSPGREPVD 
TGPPAPTVAP GPEDSTAQER LDQGGGSLGP GAIAAIVIAA LLATCVVLAL VVVALRKFSA 
S