Details for: RPL36AP37

Gene ID: 729362

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: RPL36AP37

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000244398

Description: ribosomal protein L36a pseudogene 37

Selected Context(s):  Overall

Cell Significance Landscape

Contexts:

Significant Cells

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

  • CD4-positive, alpha-beta thymocyte CL0000810
    CSI 23.03
    rCSI 18.45%
    PRS 97.76
  • neutrophil CL0000775
    CSI 14.96
    rCSI 83.72%
    PRS 98.29
  • erythroid lineage cell CL0000764
    CSI 14.4
    rCSI 92.67%
    PRS 99.47
  • professional antigen presenting cell CL0000145
    CSI 14.15
    rCSI 48.71%
    PRS 97.85
  • primordial germ cell CL0000670
    CSI 13
    rCSI 65%
    PRS 96.98
  • CD8-positive, alpha-beta thymocyte CL0000811
    CSI 12.06
    rCSI 18.8%
    PRS 99.13
  • endocrine cell CL0000163
    CSI 11.56
    rCSI 59.3%
    PRS 99.02
  • chondrocyte CL0000138
    CSI 9.66
    rCSI 15.36%
    PRS 99.17
  • stratified epithelial cell CL0000079
    CSI 7.14
    rCSI 44.09%
    PRS 99.14
  • cell of skeletal muscle CL0000188
    CSI 4.22
    rCSI 45.88%
    PRS 98.9
  • cord blood hematopoietic stem cell CL2000095
    CSI 3.8
    rCSI 72.83%
    PRS 97.76
  • mesenchymal stem cell CL0000134
    CSI 2.83
    rCSI 30.97%
    PRS 99.69

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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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 [RPL36AP37](/details-gene/729362) is a pseudogene located on chromosome 11p15.1, originating from the gene encoding the ribosomal protein L36a. While pseudogenes are often considered non-functional, the expression pattern of [RPL36AP37](/details-gene/729362) suggests potential biological relevance. It demonstrates significant expression across a diverse range of cell types, with its highest significance observed in developing immune cells, particularly [CD4-positive, alpha-beta thymocyte](/details-cell/CL0000810). Its notable presence in other highly active cells such as [neutrophils](/details-cell/CL0000775) and [erythroid lineage cells](/details-cell/CL0000764) is consistent with a possible regulatory role tied to cellular processes requiring high rates of protein synthesis and differentiation. ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The **Overall** expression profile of [RPL36AP37](/details-gene/729362) indicates a broad but distinct pattern of significance, primarily in cells characterized by high metabolic activity, proliferation, or differentiation. The gene's most prominent role appears to be in hematopoiesis and immune system development. It achieves its highest Cell Significance Index (CSI) in [CD4-positive, alpha-beta thymocytes](/details-cell/CL0000810) (CSI: 23.03) and also shows high significance in [CD8-positive, alpha-beta thymocytes](/details-cell/CL0000811), suggesting a potential role during T-cell maturation in the thymus. Furthermore, its high significance in terminally differentiated myeloid cells like [neutrophils](/details-cell/CL0000775) and in the [erythroid lineage](/details-cell/CL0000764) points towards a sustained association with key hematopoietic processes. Beyond the immune system, [RPL36AP37](/details-gene/729362) is also significant in developmental and specialized cell types. Its expression in [primordial germ cells](/details-cell/CL0000670) and [endocrine cells](/details-cell/CL0000163) suggests a potential link to developmental programs and hormonally active tissues. The gene also shows relevance in structural cells like [chondrocytes](/details-cell/CL0000138) and [stratified epithelial cells](/details-cell/CL0000079). The relatively lower, yet still positive, CSI in progenitor populations like [cord blood hematopoietic stem cells](/details-cell/CL2000095) and [mesenchymal stem cells](/details-cell/CL0000134) may indicate that its significance increases as cells commit to specific lineages and ramp up their biosynthetic activities. ## Pathways and Molecular Function As a pseudogene, [RPL36AP37](/details-gene/729362) does not encode a protein and lacks direct functional annotations for molecular pathways. However, its origin from the RPL36A gene, which encodes a structural component of the large 60S ribosomal subunit, provides a critical clue to its potential context. The process of ribosome biogenesis is fundamental to cell growth and proliferation. The expression pattern of [RPL36AP37](/details-gene/729362) in cells with high translational demands (e.g., developing lymphocytes, erythroid precursors) suggests its transcription may be co-regulated with genes involved in protein synthesis. It is plausible that if the [RPL36AP37](/details-gene/729362) transcript is functional, it may act as a non-coding RNA that modulates ribosome production or translation efficiency. ## Research Directions The widespread yet distinct expression of the pseudogene [RPL36AP37](/details-gene/729362) raises important questions about its potential function beyond being a simple evolutionary remnant. **Proposed Hypotheses:** 1. **Competitive Endogenous RNA (ceRNA) Hypothesis:** The [RPL36AP37](/details-gene/729362) transcript acts as a ceRNA, or microRNA sponge, in developing thymocytes. By binding to microRNAs that would otherwise target its parent gene (RPL36A) or other key transcripts in ribosome biogenesis, it fine-tunes the rate of protein synthesis required for T-cell differentiation and proliferation. 2. **Transcriptional Decoy or Scaffold Hypothesis:** [RPL36AP37](/details-gene/729362) functions as a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that acts as a scaffold for chromatin-modifying enzymes or transcription factors at specific genomic loci. This activity could regulate gene expression networks essential for hematopoietic lineage commitment, explaining its high significance in both lymphoid and myeloid precursors. **Experimental Approach to Test Hypothesis 1:** To investigate the role of [RPL36AP37](/details-gene/729362) as a ceRNA in T-cell development, a series of experiments could be conducted. First, the expression of the [RPL36AP37](/details-gene/729362) transcript would be confirmed and quantified in sorted primary human [CD4-positive, alpha-beta thymocytes](/details-cell/CL0000810) using digital droplet PCR. Next, a knockdown of the [RPL36AP37](/details-gene/729362) transcript would be performed in an in vitro T-cell differentiation system using specific antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). The functional consequences of this knockdown would be assessed by RNA-sequencing to measure changes in the transcriptome, focusing on the parent RPL36A gene and other ribosomal components. Concurrently, pull-down assays using biotinylated [RPL36AP37](/details-gene/729362) probes followed by small RNA sequencing could identify the specific microRNAs it binds to, providing direct evidence for a sponging mechanism. **Therapeutic Potential:** Currently, the therapeutic potential of [RPL36AP37](/details-gene/729362) is considered low and highly speculative. As a pseudogene with an unverified function and broad expression in many healthy, active cell types, targeting it would carry a high risk of off-target effects. However, should future research reveal a specific and critical role in pathologies characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, such as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), which originates from thymocytes, it could emerge as a potential target for RNA-based therapies like ASOs. This would require extensive validation to confirm that its function is uniquely essential to the malignant state.