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Pseudogene-Expressed RNAs: Emerging Roles in Gene Regulation and Disease

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Long Non-coding RNAs in Human Disease

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology ((CT MICROBIOLOGY,volume 394))

Abstract

Pseudogenes have for long been considered as non-functional relics littering the human genome. Only now, it is becoming apparent that many pseudogenes are transcribed into long noncoding RNAs, some with proven biological functions. Here, we review the current knowledge of pseudogenes and their widespread functional properties with an emphasis on pseudogenes that have been functionally investigated in greater detail. Pseudogenes are emerging as a novel class of long noncoding RNAs functioning, for example, through microRNA sponging and chromatin remodeling. The examples discussed herein underline that pseudogene-encoded RNAs are important regulatory molecules involved in diseases such as cancer.

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Acknowledgments

Research reported in this publication was supported by the Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation, The Swedish Cancer Society, Radiumhemmets Forskningsfonder, Vetenskapsrådet to Dan Grandér.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden

    Dan Grandér

  2. Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Stockholm, Sweden

    Per Johnsson

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  1. Dan Grandér
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  2. Per Johnsson
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Correspondence to Per Johnsson .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. City of Hope - Beckman Research Institute, Center for Gene Therapy City of Hope-Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California, USA

    Kevin V. Morris

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Grandér, D., Johnsson, P. (2015). Pseudogene-Expressed RNAs: Emerging Roles in Gene Regulation and Disease. In: Morris, K. (eds) Long Non-coding RNAs in Human Disease. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, vol 394. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/82_2015_442

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