Pseudogenes in Cancer: State of the Art

Abstract

Pseudogenes are duplicates of protein-coding genes that have accumulated multiple detrimental alterations, rendering them unable to produce the protein they encode. Initially disregarded as “junk DNA” due to their perceived lack of functionality, research on their biological roles has been hindered by this assumption. Nevertheless, recent focus has shifted towards these molecules due to their abnormal expression in cancer phenotypes. In this review, our objective is to provide a thorough overview of the current understanding of pseudogene formation, the mechanisms governing their expression, and the roles they may play in promoting tumorigenesis.