Stereocilin pseudogene 1 (STRCP1)

Stereocilin pseudogene 1 (STRCP1) is classified as a pseudogene located in a tandemly duplicated region of chromosome 15, distal to the functional stereocilin gene (STRC). STRCP1 contains almost identical sequence to STRC for exons 1–15, with fewer sequence differences in exons 16–29, which complicates genetic analysis and diagnosis related to STRC. It is predicted—based only on sequence similarity and genomic context—to be related to cell-matrix adhesion and extracellular localization, specifically at cell surface structures such as the kinocilium and stereocilium tip[1][4]. However, as a pseudogene, STRCP1 does not code for a functional protein in humans and has no confirmed biological function or disease association itself. Its main relevance is as a confounding element for genetic tests of STRC, a gene in which mutations are a common cause of non-syndromic hearing loss[4][1]. There are no drugs, biomarkers, or safety concerns known for this locus, and it is not considered a therapeutic target. The STRCP1 designation can sometimes be confused with STRC, so care must be taken to distinguish the two in research and diagnostics[4][1].

Other names

STRCP1STRCPPutative stereocilin-like proteinStereocilin pseudogene 1