Ribosomal protein L21 pseudogene 60 (RPL21P60)

Ribosomal protein L21 pseudogene 60 (RPL21P60) is annotated as a pseudogene in the human genome. Pseudogenes are DNA sequences similar to known genes, but they are generally non-functional due to mutations or lack of regulatory elements necessary for expression. RPL21P60 shares sequence similarity with the ribosomal protein L21 gene (RPL21), which encodes a structural component of the 60S ribosomal subunit responsible for protein synthesis[1][5][10]. However, unlike the functional RPL21 gene, RPL21P60 does not produce a protein and has no roles in ribosome function, cell signaling, or disease. Key distinction: The protein-coding RPL21 gene (not the pseudogene) is fundamental for ribosome function, involved in protein synthesis, and mutations in RPL21 have been linked to hypotrichosis and potential roles in cell proliferation and cancer[7][10]. By contrast, pseudogenes like RPL21P60 are not functional, do not encode a targetable protein, and are not used in clinical or drug development contexts[1][5][8].

Other names

RPL21_23_641RPL21P60NCBI 100271175Ensembl ENSG00000240729