Exploring Ribosomal RNA Modifications and Corresponding snoRNAs in Human Skin Cell Senescence

This study investigates the role of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) modifications and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) in skin cell senescence, which contributes to skin aging. Researchers induced senescence in human keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and melanocytes and used Oxford Nanopore direct RNA sequencing to identify changes in rRNA modification sites. They found several consistently altered sites across different senescence models. By depleting snoRNAs guiding these modifications using antisense oligonucleotides and CRISPR/Cas9, they explored the functional consequences in fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Visualization of snoRNA expression in young and aged skin tissue further supported their findings. The study highlights the variability of rRNA modifications in senescence and suggests that understanding snoRNA regulation could lead to new strategies for targeting senescent cells and slowing skin aging.