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Pseudogene Redux with New Biological Significance

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Pseudogenes

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1167))

Abstract

The study of pseudogenes, originally dismissed as genomic relics of evolutionary selection, has seen a resurgence in scientific literature, in addition to being a peculiar topic of discussion in theological debates. For a long time, pseudogenes have been touted as a beacon of natural selection and a definitive proof of evolution due to the slow mutation rate that differentiated them from their parental genes and ultimately caused their genetic demise as functional genes. It now seems that “creationists” have co-opted some recent reports identifying unheralded biological functions to pseudogens and other noncoding RNAs as evidence to undermine the existence of evolution and supporting intelligent design. This issue of Methods in Molecular Biology focused on pseudogenes will certainly not end, nor enter this debate; however, scientists who are also genomics and pseudogene enthusiasts will certainly appreciate that many scientists are thinking about these particular genetic elements in new and interesting ways. With this new interest in a biological significance and “non-junk” role for pseudogenes and other noncoding RNAs, new methods and approaches are being developed to unlock the mystery of these ancient artifacts we know as pseudogenes. In this brief introductory chapter we highlight the renewed interest in pseudogenes and review a rationale for intensification of pseudogene-related research.

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Acknowledgments

LS is supported by a Career Development Award from the Human Frontier Science Program Organization. Critical reading by L. Poliseno was greatly appreciated. Apologies to those whose work was not cited due to space limitations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5G 2 M9

    Leonardo Salmena Ph.D.

  2. Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5G 2 M9

    Leonardo Salmena Ph.D.

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  1. Leonardo Salmena Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Leonardo Salmena Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto Toscano Tumori, Pisa, Italy

    Laura Poliseno

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Salmena, L. (2014). Pseudogene Redux with New Biological Significance. In: Poliseno, L. (eds) Pseudogenes. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1167. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0835-6_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0835-6_1

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-0834-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-0835-6

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