An expressed pseudogene regulates the messenger-RNA stability of its homologous coding gene.
A pseudogene is a gene copy that does not produce a functional, full-length protein. The human genome is estimated to contain up to 20,000 pseudogenes. Although much effort has been devoted to understanding the function of pseudogenes, their biological roles remain largely unknown. Here we report the role of an expressed pseudogene-regulation of messenger-RNA stability-in a transgene-insertion mouse mutant exhibiting polycystic kidneys and bone deformity. The transgene was integrated into the vicinity of the expressing pseudogene of Makorin1, called Makorin1-p1. This insertion reduced transcription of Makorin1-p1, resulting in destabilization of Makorin1 mRNA in trans by way of a cis-acting RNA decay element within the 5' region of Makorin1 that is homologous between Makorin1 and Makorin1-p1. Either Makorin1 or Makorin1-p1 transgenes could rescue these phenotypes. Our findings demonstrate a specific regulatory role of an expressed pseudogene, and point to the functional significance of non-coding RNAs.
Division of Neuroscience, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical School Yamane 1397-1, Hidaka City, Saitama 350-1241, Japan. shinjih@saitama-med.ac.jp
Shinji
S
Hirotsune
Noriyuki
N
Yoshida
Amy
A
Chen
Lisa
L
Garrett
Fumihiro
F
Sugiyama
Satoru
S
Takahashi
Ken-ichi
K
Yagami
Anthony
A
Wynshaw-Boris
Atsushi
A
Yoshiki
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000002:abnormalities; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010641:Phenotype; D007690:Polycystic Kidney Diseases / Q000235:genetics; D011544:Pseudogenes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D020871:RNA Stability; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D019076:Transgenes / Q000235:genetics
C410808:Makorin ring finger protein 1; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins