Details for: C8orf44

Gene ID: 56260

Gene Type:  ncRNA (Non-coding RNA)  - A functional RNA molecule that is transcribed from DNA but not translated into a protein. Includes classes like miRNA and lncRNA.

Symbol: C8orf44

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000288596

Description: chromosome 8 putative open reading frame 44

Cell Significance Landscape

Significant Cells

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

  • hematopoietic multipotent progenitor cell CL0000837
    CSI 10.39
    rCSI 25%
    PRS 98.96
  • hematopoietic precursor cell CL0008001
    CSI 7.06
    rCSI 7.26%
    PRS 98.56

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.

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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 [C8orf44](/details-gene/56260) is a long non-coding RNA (ncRNA) gene located on chromosome 8. Based on expression data, its function appears to be highly specialized within the hematopoietic system. The gene shows exceptionally high and specific significance in early-stage blood cell precursors, particularly [hematopoietic multipotent progenitor cells](/details-cell/CL0000837) and general [hematopoietic precursor cells](/details-cell/CL0008001), suggesting a potential role in hematopoiesis, stem cell maintenance, or lineage commitment. Its molecular function remains largely uncharacterized. ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression profile of [C8orf44](/details-gene/56260) points towards a very specific role in the earliest stages of blood cell development. **Overall**, the gene's most significant expression is found in [hematopoietic multipotent progenitor cells](/details-cell/CL0000837), where it has a CSI of 10.39, and in the broader category of [hematopoietic precursor cells](/details-cell/CL0008001) (CSI: 7.06). This highly restricted expression pattern suggests that [C8orf44](/details-gene/56260) is not a general cellular workhorse but rather may function as a key regulator involved in maintaining the undifferentiated state or guiding the initial fate decisions of hematopoietic progenitors. Further investigation is required to determine its expression levels in terminally differentiated hematopoietic lineages and non-hematopoietic tissues to fully establish its specificity. ## Pathways and Molecular Function The specific biological pathways and molecular functions associated with [C8orf44](/details-gene/56260) are currently not well-defined in public databases. As a non-coding RNA, it likely functions through regulatory mechanisms such as guiding chromatin-modifying complexes, acting as a scaffold for protein-protein interactions, or sponging microRNAs. Its high significance in hematopoietic progenitors suggests it may be involved in pathways governing self-renewal, cell cycle control, or the transcriptional networks that control the commitment to either lymphoid or myeloid lineages. ## Research Directions The highly specific expression of [C8orf44](/details-gene/56260) in hematopoietic progenitor cells provides a strong foundation for investigating its role in both normal and malignant hematopoiesis. ### Proposed Hypotheses 1. **[C8orf44](/details-gene/56260) maintains hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell pluripotency.** The ncRNA may act as a crucial factor in a transcriptional or epigenetic network that prevents premature differentiation, and its downregulation is a prerequisite for lineage commitment. 2. **[C8orf44](/details-gene/56260) is a lineage-biasing factor.** It may prime [hematopoietic multipotent progenitor cells](/details-cell/CL0000837) towards a specific fate (e.g., myeloid or lymphoid) by modulating the expression of key lineage-determining transcription factors. ### Suggested Experiment To test the hypothesis that [C8orf44](/details-gene/56260) is critical for maintaining the progenitor state, a loss-of-function study could be performed. Primary human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (CD34+) could be isolated and transduced with lentiviral vectors expressing shRNAs or a CRISPR-Cas9 system targeting [C8orf44](/details-gene/56260). The impact of its knockdown or knockout could be assessed using in vitro colony-forming unit (CFU) assays to quantify changes in the differentiation potential into various myeloid and erythroid lineages. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of the modified progenitor cells could reveal shifts in differentiation trajectories and identify the downstream transcriptional networks regulated by this ncRNA. ### Therapeutic Potential Given its highly restricted expression in hematopoietic precursors, [C8orf44](/details-gene/56260) could represent a promising therapeutic target for hematological malignancies characterized by a differentiation block, such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML). As an ncRNA, it is amenable to targeting with technologies like antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) or siRNAs. **Inhibition** of [C8orf44](/details-gene/56260) could potentially force malignant progenitor cells to overcome their differentiation arrest, representing a novel form of differentiation therapy. The specificity of its expression suggests that such a therapeutic would have a favorable safety profile with minimal on-target effects in non-hematopoietic tissues.