A cryptogene is a gene that has had its transcript edited. This phenomenon is observed in various organisms, particularly in Kinetoplastids and Myxomycetes, where the process plays a crucial role in mitochondrial gene expression.

Kinetoplastids, a group of protozoans including Trypanosoma and Leishmania, possess an unusual genetic system in their mitochondria. This system is characterized by an elaborate network of circular DNA, organized into two distinct types of rings: maxicircles and minicircles.

Myxomycetes, a group of slime molds which includes species like Physarum polycephalum, also exhibit cryptogenes in their mitochondria.