Chymosin pseudogene (CYMP)

The chymosin pseudogene (CYMP) is a nonfunctional genetic remnant of the gene encoding chymosin (also called rennin), an aspartic protease found in the stomachs of newborn ruminant animals and used commercially in cheese production. The true, functional chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4, 'rennin') is an aspartic protease active in young ruminants. In humans, however, the gene is present but rendered inactive by mutation, meaning no functional chymosin protein is produced. Humans digest milk proteins using other enzymes, such as pepsin and lipase, and the presence of this pseudogene does not serve any current physiological function in the human body. Accordingly, this pseudogene is not considered a therapeutic target nor a functional receptor, enzyme, or protein in humans. The use of "CYMP" as a target in humans is incorrect as it refers to a sequence incapable of producing protein and with no known biological, disease, or therapeutic relevance. There are no drugs, disease associations, mechanisms of action, or biomarkers linked to the human chymosin pseudogene.

Other names

Chymosinrennin pseudogeneCYMP