Gemin7 is a 131 amino acid protein encoded by the mouse gene Gemin7. Gemin7, along with Gemin6, is a significant component of the the large multiprotein human SMN complex. The SMN complex functions as an assembly machine for small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs)-the major components of the spliceosome. The survival of motor neurons (SMN) protein, a product of the disease gene of the common neurodegenerative disease, spinal muscular atrophy, is also part of the SMN complex. Although Gemin6 and Gemin7 have no significant sequence similarity with Sm proteins, both adopt canonical Sm folds. Moreover, Gemin6 and Gemin7 exist as a heterodimer, and interact with each other via an interface similar to that which mediates interactions among the Sm proteins. The Gemin6/Gemin7 complex binds to Sm proteins and might help organize Sm proteins for formation of Sm rings on snRNA targets.