Ribosomal protein L21 pseudogene 44 (RPL21P44)

Ribosomal protein L21 pseudogene 44 is a processed pseudogene found on chromosome 4q12. Pseudogenes are genomic DNA sequences similar to normal genes but nonfunctional; RPL21P44 does not encode a protein and is not expressed. It is derived from the ribosomal protein L21 parent locus, which is part of the large ribosomal 60S subunit. While some pseudogenes may have regulatory roles, there is no evidence in the literature that RPL21P44 has functional or disease relevance[1][5][7]. In summary, RPL21P44 is **not a therapeutic target**, but a noncoding pseudogene. Many ribosomal protein genes, including RPL21, have multiple pseudogenes[7], and their canonical names follow the format "ribosomal protein [subtype] pseudogene [number]." Ribosomal protein L21 (RPL21), the parent gene, is clinically relevant due to its role in ribosome function and has associations with diseases such as Hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp[3][6], but the pseudogene RPL21P44 does not share these functions.

Other names

RPL21_17_477