Pseudogene

According to the traditional definition, a ``pseudogene'' (marked Ψ) is a section of DNA that, due to mutation, does not undergo transcription, or translation, the resulting product loses i.e. the original function. In the human genome, their number is estimated at 11,000. Recently, however, it has been shown that a number of pseudogenes (at the level of DNA, RNA and protein) play an important biological role in the regulation of transcription and post-transcriptional modifications. Thus, pseudogenes may be involved in the pathogenesis of some diseases, especially some types of cancer .''

Related Pages

 * Gene