Genomic Imprinting: A Specialized Form of Gene Regulation

Authors : Fatma Filiz COŞKUNARI

Pages : 241-252

View : 18 | Download : 10

Publication Date : 2000-12-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Genomic imprinting is a process resulting in the preferential expression of certain genes depending on whether the genetic material has been inherited from the mother or the father. Many imprinted genes have been identified as having important roles in mammalian development, and the loss of imprints as well as non-imprinted alleles causes a variety of developmental abnormalities and pathological conditions in both mice and humans. In this article, the phenomenon of genomic imprinting, the developmental implications of imprinting and the molecular mechanisms proposed for this process are reviewed.
Keywords : Genomic imprinting, Preferential gene expression, Gene regulation