Certain genes have apparently unusual inheritance patterns. For instance, in the mouse autosomal gene H19, only the copy inherited from the mouse's mother is expressed. Conversely, in the mouse autosomal gene Igf2, only the copy inherited from the mouse's father is expressed. The consequence of this is that imprinted genes are expressed as if they were present in only one copy, even though there are two copies of each of these genes in each cell. What process or processes are responsible for this phenomenon?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Imprinted genes are controlled by epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, that are established during gametogenesis and maintained through cell division in a parent-of-origin-specific manner. These modifications result in the differential expression of imprinted genes depending on whether they are inherited from the mother or the father. This phenomenon is called genomic imprinting.

Certain Genes Have Apparently Unusual Inheritance Patterns