Testicular cell adhesion molecule 1, pseudogene (TCAM1P)

Testicular cell adhesion molecule 1, pseudogene (TCAM1P) is a **unitary pseudogene** in humans that arose during evolution from the loss of the coding function of its protein ortholog found in rodents and other mammals[3][5]. Unlike its protein-coding relatives, human TCAM1P does not encode a functional cell adhesion molecule; instead, it produces various **non-coding RNA transcripts**, including long non-coding RNAs that are specifically expressed in germ cells of the testis—most notably spermatocytes, with minor expression in spermatogonia and spermatids[5]. Recent research has revealed that TCAM1P is abnormally upregulated in cervical cancer, particularly in HPV-positive tumors, where it acts as a cancer/testis-specific pseudogene, promoting cell proliferation and correlating with disease severity[2]. TCAM1P expression is regulated by viral oncogenes (HPV E6/E7) and the RNA-binding protein EIF4A3, and its transcript may have diagnostic value for cervical cancer screening and prognosis[2]. Despite these findings, TCAM1P is **not a canonical therapeutic target** such as a receptor or enzyme, nor does it interact with any established drugs; its potential relevance is currently limited to disease marker and non-coding RNA biology[2][5].

Other names

TCAM1PTCAM1Testicular cell adhesion molecule 1 homolog, pseudogeneTesticular cell adhesion molecule 1, pseudogene

Not applicable. No known drugs target TCAM1P; its molecular action relates to non-coding RNA regulation, not a protein mechanism.