Ret finger protein-like 4A pseudogene 4 (RFPL4AP4)

Ret finger protein-like 4A pseudogene 4 (RFPL4AP4) is a human processed pseudogene, located at ENSG00000270387, that resembles the protein-coding gene RFPL4A but is regarded as non-coding[1][7][9]. Despite lacking protein-coding capability, RFPL4AP4 may have important biological roles, such as acting as a competitive endogenous RNA/microRNA sponge to regulate gene expression[2]. Recent data indicates that overexpression of RFPL4AP4 (RPL4P4) is significantly associated with glioma progression, poor clinical outcomes, increased tumor grade, and changes in the tumor immune microenvironment, specifically the infiltration of M2-type macrophages[2]. Knockdown of RFPL4AP4 inhibits glioma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in cell models, suggesting regulatory involvement in tumorigenesis and the tumor microenvironment[2]. However, as a pseudogene, it is not classified as a therapeutic target such as a receptor, enzyme, transporter, or transcription factor. Its clinical utility currently lies in its potential function as a prognostic biomarker in glioma rather than a direct therapeutic target[2][1].

Other names

RFPL4AP4ENSG00000270387ret finger protein like 4A pseudogene 4100420036 (NCBI Gene)[7][9]