A protein complex that contains the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein and at least eight additional integral components, including the Gemin2-8 and Unrip proteins; the complex is found in the cytoplasm and in nuclear Gems, and is involved in spliceosomal snRNP assembly in the cytoplasm and in pre-mRNA splicing in the nucleus. [ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17023415 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16434402 ]
Synonyms: SMN core complex survival motor neuron complex
Term information
Note that a larger complex containing Sm proteins and other subunits is also sometimes referred to as the 'SMN complex'. The larger complex is represented by 'SMN-Sm protein complex ; GO:0034719'.