Unknown

Dataset Information

0

Are Human Translated Pseudogenes Functional?


ABSTRACT: By definition, pseudogenes are relics of former genes that no longer possess biological functions. Operationally, they are identified based on disruptions of open reading frames (ORFs) or presumed losses of promoter activities. Intriguingly, a recent human proteomic study reported peptides encoded by 107 pseudogenes. These peptides may play currently unrecognized physiological roles. Alternatively, they may have resulted from accidental translations of pseudogene transcripts and possess no function. Comparing between human and macaque orthologs, we show that the nonsynonymous to synonymous substitution rate ratio (?) is significantly smaller for translated pseudogenes than other pseudogenes. In particular, five of 34 translated pseudogenes amenable to evolutionary analysis have ? values significantly lower than 1, indicative of the action of purifying selection. This and other findings demonstrate that some but not all translated pseudogenes have selected functions at the protein level. Hence, neither ORF disruption nor presence of protein product disproves or proves gene functionality at the protein level.

SUBMITTER: Xu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5009996 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

altmetric image

Publications

Are Human Translated Pseudogenes Functional?

Xu Jinrui J   Zhang Jianzhi J  

Molecular biology and evolution 20151120 3


By definition, pseudogenes are relics of former genes that no longer possess biological functions. Operationally, they are identified based on disruptions of open reading frames (ORFs) or presumed losses of promoter activities. Intriguingly, a recent human proteomic study reported peptides encoded by 107 pseudogenes. These peptides may play currently unrecognized physiological roles. Alternatively, they may have resulted from accidental translations of pseudogene transcripts and possess no funct  ...[more]

Similar Datasets

| S-EPMC4739776 | biostudies-literature
2021-08-01 | GSE155510 | GEO
| S-EPMC8381491 | biostudies-literature
| PRJNA649966 | ENA
| S-EPMC8108447 | biostudies-literature
2021-04-26 | GSE160383 | GEO
| S-EPMC4585173 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC52675 | biostudies-other
| S-EPMC3296674 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC403797 | biostudies-literature