Pseudogenes in the carcinogenesis: epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process and cancer initiating cells

Initially, pseudogenes were considered to be “junk DNA”, and their biological role was unclear. However, some of the pseudogenes are engaged in the process of cancerogenesis and perform essential functions in competing for endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks and competing for RNA binding proteins (RBPs)...

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Main Authors: Tomasz Kolenda, Piotr Chałaj, Aleksandra Cichowicz, Aleksandra Trojańska, Andrzej Bałoniak, Malwina Kwaśniewska, Magda Odrobińska, Kacper Guglas, Joanna Kozłowska-Masłoń, Paulina Gieremek, Paulina Poter, Marlena Janiczek-Polewska, Anna Florczak-Substyk, Anna Przybyła, Patrycja Mantaj, Katarzyna Regulska, Beata Jadwiga Stanisz, Zefiryn Cybulski, Urszula Kazimierczak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Via Medica 2025-01-01
Series:Reports of Practical Oncology and Radiotherapy
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Online Access:https://journals.viamedica.pl/rpor/article/view/106096
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Summary:Initially, pseudogenes were considered to be “junk DNA”, and their biological role was unclear. However, some of the pseudogenes are engaged in the process of cancerogenesis and perform essential functions in competing for endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks and competing for RNA binding proteins (RBPs). They either positively or negatively regulate gene expression and act as suppressive and oncogenic transcripts. In this review, we look at some of the pseudogenes that play a role in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and the maintenance of cancer-initiating cells (CIC), which are essential in understanding cancer development and progression metastasis and resistance to commonly used therapies. The group of discussed pseudogenes consists of CHIAP2, PTENP1, SUMO1P3, NANOGP8, OCT4-PG1/4, or HMGA1-P6, which are connected with different molecular pathways. Moreover, we discussed pseudogenes as potential diagnostic molecules that can be used as a new class of biomarkers. This potential usage may be valuable for oncology and personalized medicine in the future.
ISSN:1507-1367
2083-4640