Double homeobox A pseudogene 4 (DUXAP4)

Double homeobox A pseudogene 4 (DUXAP4) is a non-protein-coding pseudogene that gives rise to a long non-coding RNA. DUXAP4 lncRNA is overexpressed in several cancers, including colorectal and non-small cell lung cancer, where it promotes tumor cell proliferation, inhibits apoptosis, and advances tumor progression. DUXAP4 exerts its oncogenic properties primarily through interactions with chromatin-modifying proteins such as LSD1 and EZH2, leading to the epigenetic repression of tumor suppressor genes, including p21 and PTEN. DUXAP4 does not encode a functional protein or act as a classical receptor, enzyme, or therapeutic drug target; rather, it acts through its RNA product to modulate gene expression and cancer phenotypes. Overexpression of DUXAP4 in tumors may serve as a prognostic biomarker but, as of now, is not directly targeted by any drugs.

Other names

DUXAP4