New pseudogenes with the function of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA)

Pseudogenes have been defined as non-functional sequences of genomic DNA originally derived from functional genes. Over the past decade pseudogenes have been suitably investigated and often exhibit functional roles, such as gene expression, gene regulation, and generation of genetic (antibody, antigenic, and other) diversity. In particular, recent studies showed that pseudogene can also act as microRNA-decoying competitive endogenous RNA and when deregulated can promote oncogenesis. In this study, I investigated the role of B-RAFps as microRNA-decoying competitive endogenous RNA. In addition to this, I started to investigate the role of the CD46P1 pseudogene as ceRNA. Preliminary data show that CD46P1 is expressed in some prostate cancer and lymphoma cell lines. In particular, it seems expressed in cancer cell lines established from primary tumours and not from metastasis. It could be possible that the primary tumour microenvironment could influence the transcription activation of genes in the RCA cluster where CD46P1 and CD46 are located. These preliminary data on CD46P1 might help to design and execute experiments that will elucidate the reasons for differential CD46P1 expression in cancer cell lines and its possible role as ceRNA.