Molecular fossils “pseudogenes” as functional signature in biological system

Abstract

Pseudogenes have been known as non-functional molecular relics developed from inactivated genomic mutations while evolution. However, they have a various function at distinct molecular stages (DNA, RNA and protein) in different biological events including in cancer and associated with parental-gene-dependently and parental-gene independently. The interactions of pseudogenes with ancestor genes or other genes alter in their sequences and transcriptional processes. Pseudogene of RNA sequences have multiple functions in post-transcriptional activities as antisense RNAs, endogenous small-interference RNAs, and competing endogenous RNAs. Moreover, it also plays vital roles in controlling of its parent genes and other pseudogenes transcribing into RNA. Pseudogene transcripts make small interfering RNA or decline cellular miRNA level. The current review focuses on pseudogene functional signature in human genome by regulating the gene expression. © 2020, The Genetics Society of Korea.