Ferritin light chain pseudogene 13 (FTLP13)

Ferritin light chain pseudogene 13 (FTLP13) is a nonfunctional, noncoding genetic locus classified as a pseudogene. Unlike the active ferritin light chain (FTL) gene, which is essential for intracellular iron storage and involved in diverse biological processes, FTLP13 contains sequences similar to FTL but does not produce a functional protein[3]. As such, it lacks known biological activity, molecular function, or therapeutic relevance. Pseudogenes are DNA sequences that resemble genes but are generally nonfunctional due to mutations or deletions that prevent their transcription and/or translation into functional proteins. FTLP13 should not be confused with the functional ferritin light chain (FTL) gene, which plays a critical role in iron storage and homeostasis[1][2], and has relevance in neurodegenerative diseases and certain cancers. However, FTLP13 itself has no coded protein product and is not a drug target. FTLP13 is a pseudogene—essentially a nonfunctional DNA element—and does not serve as a receptor, enzyme, transporter, or other therapeutic target. There are no drugs, disease associations, or clinical biomarkers related directly to FTLP13. The main relevance is potential confusion with its functional counterpart, FTL.

Other names

Ferritin, light polypeptide pseudogene 13FTLP13