GYPE (glycophorin E) is a member of the glycophorin gene cluster on chromosome 4, which includes three highly homologous genes: GYPA, GYPB, and GYPE 1. GYPE appears to be a pseudogene that does not express a functional protein product 2. The gene was generated from GYPA through duplication events involving a 120-kb genomic segment between 10-15 million years ago 3. Despite lacking expression, GYPE plays important roles in blood group genetics through recombination events. Gene conversion between GYPB and GYPE can create hybrid genes that abolish S and s blood group antigen expression, contributing to rare S-s- blood phenotypes 1. Additionally, large deletions involving GYPE are associated with the U- phenotype in individuals of African ancestry, with deletions extending from GYPB affecting blood group expression 4. The GYPE region shows extensive structural variation through non-allelic homologous recombination, creating multiple variants that may influence malaria resistance 5. The glycophorin gene cluster, including GYPE, represents a region under long-term balancing selection across human and chimpanzee lineages, likely due to pathogen defense pressures 6. While GYPE itself may not encode a functional protein, its presence is crucial for maintaining genomic stability and proper expression of other glycophorin genes.