Details for: RNF216P1

Gene ID: 441191

Gene Type:  Pseudogene  - A non-functional segment of DNA that resembles a functional gene but has lost its protein-coding ability or is otherwise no longer expressed.

Symbol: RNF216P1

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000196204

Description: ring finger protein 216 pseudogene 1

Cell Significance Landscape

Significant Cells

Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores for the chosen context(s)

  • naive thymus-derived CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cell CL0000900
    CSI 5.24
    rCSI 3.68%
    PRS 98.79
  • Bergmann glial cell CL0000644
    CSI 2.31
    rCSI 3.16%
    PRS 91.73
  • neuroblast (sensu Nematoda and Protostomia) CL0000338
    CSI 2.31
    rCSI 2.66%
    PRS 91.42
  • retinal rod cell CL0000604
    CSI 2.24
    rCSI 3.94%
    PRS 93.4
  • retinal cone cell CL0000573
    CSI 1.87
    rCSI 3.01%
    PRS 91.02
  • glioblast CL0000030
    CSI 1.86
    rCSI 2.97%
    PRS 91.64
  • radial glial cell CL0000681
    CSI 1.77
    rCSI 2.46%
    PRS 95.48
  • astrocyte of the cerebral cortex CL0002605
    CSI 1.66
    rCSI 3.72%
    PRS 89.59

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this specific cell.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.
Network Configuration

Explore relationships of the current gene. Select an Interaction Source: 'ONTOLOGY' for shared pathways (GO/Reactome) or 'STRING' for protein-protein interactions. Further refine by selecting context genes and comparing Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores between baseline and target cell types and their specific contexts.

Comma-separated if multiple.
Comma-separated if multiple.
Legend:
  • Query Gene
  • Node Color (Target Cell CSI, relative to current network):
    • Very High
    • High
    • Medium
    • Low
    • Very Low
    • CSI N/A
  • Node Size: Proportional to Target Cell CSI magnitude
  • STRING PPI Edge
  • Shared Pathway Edge (ONTOLOGY)

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Other Information

This section provides additional information about the gene, including a description generated by an AI language model and details about associated proteins.

## Summary [RNF216P1](/details-gene/441191) is a pseudogene located on chromosome 7p22.1, identified as a non-protein coding homolog of the ring finger protein 216 gene. **Overall**, expression data reveals a highly specific significance profile for this gene. It demonstrates a markedly high Cell Significance Index (CSI) in [naive thymus-derived CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cells](/details-cell/CL0000900), suggesting a potential, uncharacterized role in this specific immune cell subset. A secondary, more moderate expression pattern is observed across various cell types of the central nervous system, including [Bergmann glial cells](/details-cell/CL0000644) and [neuroblasts](/details-cell/CL0000338). As a pseudogene, its function is likely regulatory rather than protein-coding. ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression landscape of [RNF216P1](/details-gene/441191) is distinguished by a dominant and highly significant presence in the adaptive immune system, specifically within [naive thymus-derived CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cells](/details-cell/CL0000900) (CSI: 5.24). This score, substantially higher than in any other cell type, suggests that [RNF216P1](/details-gene/441191) may serve as a specific marker or play a non-coding regulatory role in maintaining the naive state or lineage identity of this T cell population. Beyond its role in T cells, [RNF216P1](/details-gene/441191) exhibits a consistent but lower level of significance in a cluster of neural and glial cells. These include [Bergmann glial cells](/details-cell/CL0000644) (CSI: 2.31), [neuroblasts](/details-cell/CL0000338) (CSI: 2.31), [retinal rod cells](/details-cell/CL0000604) (CSI: 2.24), and various glial subtypes like [astrocytes](/details-cell/CL0002605) and [radial glial cells](/details-cell/CL0000681). This pattern indicates a potential secondary role for the gene within the developing or mature central nervous system, although its function in these contexts remains unknown. The lack of expression data in other major lineages prevents a full assessment of its tissue specificity. ## Pathways and Molecular Function As a designated pseudogene, [RNF216P1](/details-gene/441191) is not predicted to be translated into a protein and therefore does not have assigned molecular functions or direct associations with canonical protein-centric pathways. Its biological activity, if any, is likely mediated through its RNA transcript. Pseudogene transcripts can function as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that regulate gene expression through various mechanisms, such as acting as microRNA sponges (competing endogenous RNAs), guiding chromatin-modifying complexes, or altering mRNA stability. The specific molecular mechanisms and pathways influenced by the [RNF216P1](/details-gene/441191) transcript are currently uncharacterized. ## Research Directions The highly specific expression of [RNF216P1](/details-gene/441191) in naive CD8+ T cells, coupled with its pseudogene status, points toward novel regulatory functions in immunology and neuroscience. ### Proposed Hypotheses 1. **Regulation of T Cell Quiescence:** Given its high significance in the naive T cell state, [RNF216P1](/details-gene/441191) may function as a long non-coding RNA that actively maintains quiescence or regulates the threshold for activation in [naive thymus-derived CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cells](/details-cell/CL0000900). 2. **Modulation of Glial Function:** The consistent expression of [RNF216P1](/details-gene/441191) across several glial cell types suggests it could be part of a regulatory network involved in glial cell development, maintenance, or response to stimuli within the central nervous system. 3. **ceRNA Activity:** [RNF216P1](/details-gene/441191) may act as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), sequestering microRNAs that would otherwise target its parent gene, *RNF216*, an E3 ubiquitin ligase. This could indirectly modulate protein ubiquitination pathways crucial for both T cell and neural cell function. ### Key Experimental Approach To test the hypothesis that [RNF216P1](/details-gene/441191) regulates T cell quiescence (Hypothesis 1), a targeted knockdown experiment could be performed. Using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to specifically degrade the `RNF216P1` transcript in primary human [naive CD8+ T cells](/details-cell/CL0000900), researchers could assess the consequences on cell state. Readouts would include monitoring the expression of key T cell activation markers (e.g., CD69, CD25) and effector cytokines (e.g., IFN-gamma) with and without T-cell receptor stimulation, analyzed by flow cytometry and ELISA. RNA-sequencing of the knockdown cells would provide a global view of the transcriptomic pathways regulated by [RNF216P1](/details-gene/441191). ### Therapeutic Potential The therapeutic potential of [RNF216P1](/details-gene/441191) is highly speculative and would depend on its functional validation. As a non-coding RNA with high specificity for [naive CD8+ T cells](/details-cell/CL0000900), it could represent a future target for nucleic acid-based therapies (e.g., ASOs, siRNAs). If its inhibition were found to lower the activation threshold of T cells, it could be explored as a target for enhancing anti-tumor immune responses. Conversely, if it promotes T cell stability, its activation could be relevant for treating autoimmune diseases. However, extensive functional characterization is required before its therapeutic relevance can be seriously considered.