Abstract

In a small fraction of mammalian genes — at present estimated at less than 1% of the total — one of the two alleles that is inherited by the offspring is partially or completely switched off. The decision as to which one is silenced depends on which allele was inherited from the mother and which from the father. These idiosyncratic loci are known as imprinted genes, and their existence is an evolutionary enigma, as they effectively nullify the advantages of diploidy. Although they are small in number, these genes have important effects on physiology and behaviour, and many are expressed in the brain. There is increasing evidence that imprinted genes influence brain function and behaviour by affecting neurodevelopmental processes.

Author affiliations

1. Behavioural Genetics Group, School of Psychology and Department of Psychological Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Tower Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.

Correspondence to: Lawrence S. Wilkinson¹ Email: wilkinsonl@cardiff.ac.uk

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.