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Complementation hypothesis: the necessity of a monoallelic gene expression mechanism in mammalian development

Complementation hypothesis: the necessity of a monoallelic gene expression mechanism in mammalian... Gene expression from both parental alleles (biallelic expression) is beneficial in minimizing the occurrence of recessive genetic disorders in diploid organisms. However, imprinted genes in mammals display parent of origin-specific monoallelic expression. As some imprinted genes play essential roles in mammalian development, the reason why mammals adopted the genomic imprinting mechanism has been a mystery since its discovery. In this review, based on the recent studies on imprinted gene regulation we discuss several advantageous features of a monoallelic expression mechanism and the necessity of genomic imprinting in the current mammalian developmental system. We further speculate how the present genomic imprinting system has been established during mammalian evolution by the mechanism of complementation between paternal and maternal genomes under evolutionary pressure predicted by the genetic conflict hypothesis. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Cytogenetic and Genome Research Karger

Complementation hypothesis: the necessity of a monoallelic gene expression mechanism in mammalian development

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References (64)

Publisher
Karger
Copyright
© 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel
ISSN
1424-8581
eISSN
1424-859X
DOI
10.1159/000090811
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Gene expression from both parental alleles (biallelic expression) is beneficial in minimizing the occurrence of recessive genetic disorders in diploid organisms. However, imprinted genes in mammals display parent of origin-specific monoallelic expression. As some imprinted genes play essential roles in mammalian development, the reason why mammals adopted the genomic imprinting mechanism has been a mystery since its discovery. In this review, based on the recent studies on imprinted gene regulation we discuss several advantageous features of a monoallelic expression mechanism and the necessity of genomic imprinting in the current mammalian developmental system. We further speculate how the present genomic imprinting system has been established during mammalian evolution by the mechanism of complementation between paternal and maternal genomes under evolutionary pressure predicted by the genetic conflict hypothesis.

Journal

Cytogenetic and Genome ResearchKarger

Published: Jan 1, 2006

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