insight - Computational Biology - # Genomic Imprinting in Mammals

Landmark Discovery of Genomic Imprinting in Mammals 40 Years Ago

Q: What are the potential implications of genomic imprinting for our understanding of genetic inheritance and gene expression?

Genomic imprinting introduces a unique layer of complexity to genetic inheritance and gene expression. By having certain genes expressed based on whether they were inherited from the mother or father, it challenges the traditional view of genetic dominance and recessiveness. This phenomenon suggests that the expression of genes can be influenced not just by the gene itself, but also by the parent from whom it was inherited. Understanding genomic imprinting can provide insights into how certain genetic disorders or traits are inherited, as well as how gene expression is regulated in a parent-of-origin-specific manner.

Q: How might the discovery of genomic imprinting challenge or expand traditional models of Mendelian genetics?

The discovery of genomic imprinting challenges traditional models of Mendelian genetics by revealing that not all genes follow the classic rules of dominance and recessiveness. In Mendelian genetics, it is assumed that both copies of a gene (one from each parent) are equally active in determining the phenotype. However, genomic imprinting shows that for a subset of genes, only one copy is active based on its parental origin. This challenges the simple one-gene, one-trait relationship proposed by Mendel and expands our understanding of the complexity of genetic inheritance patterns.

Q: What other remarkable phenomena in biology have been discovered in the 40 years since the initial discovery of genomic imprinting, and how have they advanced our knowledge of genetics and evolution?

In the 40 years since the discovery of genomic imprinting, several other remarkable phenomena in biology have been uncovered, significantly advancing our knowledge of genetics and evolution. One such phenomenon is epigenetics, which involves changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype that are heritable and occur without alterations in the DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, play crucial roles in regulating gene expression and have been linked to various diseases and developmental processes. Additionally, the discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 technology for precise genome editing has revolutionized genetic research and opened up new possibilities for treating genetic disorders. These advancements highlight the dynamic nature of biological research and the continuous expansion of our understanding of genetics and evolution.

Core Concepts

Certain genes in mammals are expressed differently depending on whether they were inherited from the mother or father, a phenomenon known as genomic imprinting that was discovered 40 years ago.

Abstract

The content discusses the phenomenon of genomic imprinting, which was discovered 40 years ago through landmark embryo-manipulation experiments. In mammals, the expression of certain genes depends on which parent they were inherited from. For most genes, both copies are turned either on or off. However, for a small subset of genes, one copy is on and the other off. For some of these genes, it is the maternal copy that is on, while for others, it is the paternally inherited copy. This remarkable phenomenon, known as genomic imprinting, was first reported in Nature and Cell by researchers Surani, Barton, Norris, McGrath, and Solter.

Customize Summary

Rewrite with AI

Generate Citations

Translate Source

To Another Language

Generate MindMap

from source content

Visit Source

www.nature.com

Stats

Certain genes in mammals have one copy turned on and the other off, depending on whether they were inherited from the mother or father.
Genomic imprinting was discovered 40 years ago through landmark embryo-manipulation experiments.

Quotes

"For most genes in a cell, both copies are turned either on or off. But for a small subset of genes in mammals, one copy is on and the other off."
"For some of these genes, it is the maternal copy that is on; for others, it is the paternally inherited copy."

Key Insights Distilled From

The phenomenon of genomic imprinting was discovered 40 years ago

by Anne C. Ferg... at www.nature.com 05-14-2024

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01338-4

The phenomenon of genomic imprinting was discovered 40 years ago

Deeper Inquiries

What are the potential implications of genomic imprinting for our understanding of genetic inheritance and gene expression?

Genomic imprinting introduces a unique layer of complexity to genetic inheritance and gene expression. By having certain genes expressed based on whether they were inherited from the mother or father, it challenges the traditional view of genetic dominance and recessiveness. This phenomenon suggests that the expression of genes can be influenced not just by the gene itself, but also by the parent from whom it was inherited. Understanding genomic imprinting can provide insights into how certain genetic disorders or traits are inherited, as well as how gene expression is regulated in a parent-of-origin-specific manner.

How might the discovery of genomic imprinting challenge or expand traditional models of Mendelian genetics?

The discovery of genomic imprinting challenges traditional models of Mendelian genetics by revealing that not all genes follow the classic rules of dominance and recessiveness. In Mendelian genetics, it is assumed that both copies of a gene (one from each parent) are equally active in determining the phenotype. However, genomic imprinting shows that for a subset of genes, only one copy is active based on its parental origin. This challenges the simple one-gene, one-trait relationship proposed by Mendel and expands our understanding of the complexity of genetic inheritance patterns.

What other remarkable phenomena in biology have been discovered in the 40 years since the initial discovery of genomic imprinting, and how have they advanced our knowledge of genetics and evolution?

In the 40 years since the discovery of genomic imprinting, several other remarkable phenomena in biology have been uncovered, significantly advancing our knowledge of genetics and evolution. One such phenomenon is epigenetics, which involves changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype that are heritable and occur without alterations in the DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, play crucial roles in regulating gene expression and have been linked to various diseases and developmental processes. Additionally, the discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 technology for precise genome editing has revolutionized genetic research and opened up new possibilities for treating genetic disorders. These advancements highlight the dynamic nature of biological research and the continuous expansion of our understanding of genetics and evolution.