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Genomic Imprinting

Mendelian genetics holds that everyone inherits two copies of their genes: one from their mother and one from their father. A gene is usually "active" on both copies, so no matter whether it is inherited from the mother or the father, an allele will have the same effect on the offspring's phenotype.

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Genomic Imprinting

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Mendelian genetics holds that everyone inherits two copies of their genes: one from their mother and one from their father. A gene is usually "active" on both copies, so no matter whether it is inherited from the mother or the father, an allele will have the same effect on the offspring's phenotype.

However, sometimes only one of these two copies is active (or functional), and the other is silenced. When this happens, we call it genomic imprinting!

Genomic imprinting definition

For starters, let's look at the definition of genomic imprinting. Genomic imprinting is a type of non-mendelian inheritance, as it does not follow Mendel's inheritance rules.

The phenomenon of genomic imprinting occurs when genes are differentially expressed according to whether they were inherited from the male or female parent.

Genomic imprinting has been seen mostly in mammals such as humans and mice, and these imprinted genes tend to be found on autosomes (non-sex-linked genes). There are two types of imprinted genes:

  • Maternally imprinted genes are genes that are silenced ("turned off") when inherited from the mother. So, only the allele from the father is expressed in the offspring.
  • Paternally imprinted genes are genes that are silenced when inherited from the father. So, only the allele from the mother is expressed in the offspring.

Figure 1 shows a simple way of viewing maternal imprinting.

Genomic Imprinting Maternal Imprinting Genomic Imprinting Definition StudySmarterFigure 1. A simple vizualization of maternal Imprinting, StudySmarter Originals.

When a gene is said to be imprinted, then that gene will be silenced!

Figure 2 shows an example of maternal and paternal imprinting. Notice that the concept of dominance is meaningless for imprinted genes because imprinted loci are functionally hemizygous (they behave as if they only have one allele since the other one is inactive).

Genomic imprinting diagram

Genomic imprinting occurs in the ovum or sperm of the parents. Recall that normally, an oocyte (egg) containing the mother's component of the genome gets fertilized by a sperm containing the father's component of the genome. This creates a fertilized oocyte containing half of the mother's DNA and half of the father's DNA. But, if the phenomenon of genomic imprinting is present, then only one copy of the gene will be active (either the mother's or the father's copy) while the other copy will be silenced!

A common example of genomic imprinting is seen in a locus containing a pair of genes: igf2 and H19. Igf2 is a gene encoding for insulin-like growth factor 2, while H19 encodes for an untranslated mRNA of unknown function (Figure 3). Both the paternal and maternal chromosome contains these two genes, and they are separated by an insulator protein called CTCF. The enhancer region controls the expression of both genes by binding to an activator and recruiting transcription machinery to both genes.

In the maternal chromosome, notice that the Igf2 gene has been turned off. So, the insulator protects it from being transcribed. In this case, the activator will only activate the transcription of the H19 gene.

The opposite is true in the paternal chromosome. Here, notice that a segment of the chromosome where the insulator and the promoter of the H19 gene are found has been methylated (you will learn about DNA methylation in a bit!). This prevents the activator from activating the transcription of the H19 gene, so it will only activate igf2 transcription.

To keep things short, we can say that in the maternal chromosome, H19 is active, and igf2 is inactive (maternal imprinting). On the other hand, igf2 is active, and H19 is inactive on the paternal chromosome (paternal imprinting).

When researchers studied mice (Figure 4) to find out the outcomes of silencing the igf2 gene, they found that if the mutant igf2 allele was inherited from the mother, then the mice would have normal size as the mutant allele would be silenced and not expressed.

However, if the mutant igf2 allele was inherited from the father, then the mice would have a smaller size, as the mutant allele would be expressed, and the normal allele from the mother would be silenced. So, we can say that igf2 in mice is an example of maternal imprinting (i.e., the mother's allele is silenced) because the size trait (dwarf) is dependent on the expression of the paternal allele.

Process of genomic imprinting

The most common process that can lead to genomic imprinting is DNA methylation.

DNA methylation is the process of adding methyl groups to certain bases in DNA (G-C bases). DNA methylation leads to gene silencing.

Let's explore the process of genomic imprinting by DNA methylation. Basically, a gene will turn off when a methyl group (-CH3) gets attached to the DNA.

When the germline develops a gene that has evolved to be paternally imprinted, this gene will have a sequence tag that will let transcription factors know that that gene needs to be methylated ("turned off" by adding a methyl group to it) before gamete formation. Similarly, if a gene has evolved to be maternally imprinted, its sequence tag will be recognized by transcription factors, and it will become methylated (silenced) before making gametes.

A germline cell is referred to as a special cell that will make gametes (Gametes are sperm or egg in humans).

Figure 5 shows a model for the inheritance of DNA methylation. In mammals, the methyl group gets added to the cytosine in a CG dinucleotide.

Genomic imprinting diseases

Normally, genetic imprinting is not harmful. However, sometimes disorders might arise if mutations or defects happen within the imprinting controlling regions of genes.

A common example of a genomic imprinting disease is Prader-Willi Syndrome (Figure 6). It can either be caused by the deletion of a certain region on chromosome 15 inherited from the father or by the inheritance of both copies of chromosome 15 from the mother that has been methylated (silenced). Some symptoms of Prader-Willi Syndrome include weak muscle tone, developmental delay, behavioral problems, and overeating (early childhood obesity).

Now, if the deletion of that same region on chromosome 15 is inherited by the mother, or both copies of the chromosome come from the father, then the offspring will develop Angelman Syndrome. As a result of this syndrome, individuals suffer from severe intellectual impairment, seizures, impaired speech, and inappropriate laughter.

A daughter cell receiving two copies of a gene from the same parent instead of one copy from each parent generally happens due to errors in meiosis. This is known as uniparental disomy.

Some cancers are also associated with errors/mutations in DNA methylation. For example, the silencing of tumor suppressor genes or the loss of imprinting (allowing the activation of genes that are normally suppressed) can lead to the development of cancer cells.

Genomic imprinting example

Lastly, let's take a look at an example involving genomic imprinting in plants. In mammals, imprinting can occur in embryos and in different adult tissues, while in plants, imprinting can only happen in the endosperm tissue.

The endosperm is a structure that supports embryo or seedling growth by producing lipids, starch, and storage proteins. It can also mediate the transfer of maternal-derived nutrients to be absorbed by the embryo.

While studying the Arabidopsis endosperm through classical experimental approaches, researchers found 11 imprinted genes: 8 maternally expressed and 3 paternally expressed. Then, using modern techniques such as RT-PCR, they were able to find another 112 maternally expressed genes and 9 paternally expressed genes.

These imprinted genes contained different functions in plants, such as involvement in regulating DNA methylation, hormone signaling components, and small RNA pathways!

Since the endosperm is often formed from the fusion of two maternal cells with a male gamete, we say that the endosperm is a triploid genome (3n).

Hopefully, you are now clear on what genomic imprinting is!

Genomic Imprinting - Key takeaways

  • Genomic imprinting is a phenomenon in which genes are differentially expressed based on whether they were inherited from the male or the female parent.
  • Maternally imprinted genes are genes that are silenced ("turned off") when inherited from the mother. So, only the allele from the father is expressed in the offspring.
  • Paternally imprinted genes are genes that are silenced when inherited from the father. So, only the allele from the mother is expressed in the offspring.
  • The most common process that can lead to genomic imprinting is DNA methylation, which involves adding methyl groups to certain bases in DNA (G-C bases), leading to gene silencing.

References

  1. Xiao, W. (2012). Specialized Technologies for Epigenetics in Plants (N. Engel, Ed.). Springer Link; Humana Press. https://link.springer.com/protocol/10.1007%2F978-1-62703-011-3_16
  2. Urry, L. A., Cain, M. L., Wasserman, S. A., Minorsky, P. V., Orr, R. B., & Campbell, N. A. (2020). Campbell biology (12th ed.). Pearson.
  3. Griffiths, A. J. F., & Al, E. (2012). Introduction to genetic analysis. W.H. Freeman, Cop. [I.E.
  4. Hartwell, L., Goldberg, M. L., Fischer, J. A., & Hood, L. E. (2021). Genetics : from genes to genomes. Mcgraw Hill Education.

Frequently Asked Questions about Genomic Imprinting

 Genomic imprinting occurs when genes are expressed differently based on whether they were passed down from a male or female parent.    

The most common mechanism for genomic imprinting appears to be DNA methylation. 

Genomic imprinting occurs when the gene for a mother or father has a sequence tag to let transcription factors know that that gene needs to be methylated ("turned off" by adding a methyl group to it) before gamete formation. formation. 

Genomic imprinting works by silencing a certain gene inherited either from the mother or the father. Maternally imprinted genes are genes that are silenced ("turned off") when inherited from the mother. So, only the allele from the father is expressed in the offspring. The opposite is true for paternally imprinted genes

The mechanism for genomic imprinting basically involved the silencing of certain genes by DNA methylation. The phenomenon of genomic imprinting occurs when genes are differentially expressed according to whether they were inherited from the male or female parent.  

Final Genomic Imprinting Quiz

Genomic Imprinting Quiz - Teste dein Wissen

Question

 Genomic imprinting is a type of  _________. 

Show answer

Answer

Non-mendelian inheritance

Show question

Question

True or false: The phenomenon of genomic imprinting occurs when genes are differentially expressed according to whether they were inherited from the male or female parent. 

Show answer

Answer

True

Show question

Question

Imprinted genes tend to be found on _____.

Show answer

Answer

autosomes

Show question

Question

______ imprinted genes are genes that are silenced ("turned off") when inherited from the mother. So, only the allele from the father is expressed in the offspring. 


Show answer

Answer

Maternally

Show question

Question

_______ imprinted genes are genes that are silenced when inherited from the father. So, only the allele from the mother is expressed in the offspring.  


Show answer

Answer

Paternally 

Show question

Question

When a gene is said to be imprinted, then that gene will be _____ .

Show answer

Answer

silenced

Show question

Question

Imprinted loci are functionally _______. 

Show answer

Answer

hemizygous 

Show question

Question

True or false: If phenomenon of genomic imprinting is present, then only one copy of the gene will be active (either the mother or the father's copy) while the other copy will be silenced.


Show answer

Answer

True

Show question

Question

The most common process that can lead to genomic imprinting is ______

Show answer

Answer

DNA methylation

Show question

Question

DNA methylation is the process of adding _____ groups to certain bases in DNA (G-C bases). DNA leads to gene silencing. 

Show answer

Answer

methyl 

Show question

Question

During DNA methylation, a gene will turn ____ when a methyl group (-CH3) gets attached to the DNA.  

Show answer

Answer

off

Show question

Question

When the germline develops a gene that has evolved to be imprinted, this gene will have a sequence tag that will let ________ know that that gene needs to be methylated ("turned off" by adding a methyl group to it) before gamete formation. 

Show answer

Answer

transcription factors 

Show question

Question

A _____ cell is referred to as a special cell that will make gametes (Gametes are sperm or egg in humans).  

Show answer

Answer

germline 

Show question

Question

Which disorder is caused by the inheritance of both copies of chromosome 15 from the mother that has been methylated (silenced)?

Show answer

Answer

Prader-Willi Syndrome

Show question

Question

In mammals, imprinting can occur in embryos and in different adult tissues, while in plants, imprinting can only happen in the _______ tissue.  

Show answer

Answer

endosperm 

Show question

Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

 Genomic imprinting is a type of  _________. 

True or false: The phenomenon of genomic imprinting occurs when genes are differentially expressed according to whether they were inherited from the male or female parent. 

Imprinted genes tend to be found on _____.

Next

Flashcards in Genomic Imprinting15

Start learning

 Genomic imprinting is a type of  _________. 

Non-mendelian inheritance

True or false: The phenomenon of genomic imprinting occurs when genes are differentially expressed according to whether they were inherited from the male or female parent. 

True

Imprinted genes tend to be found on _____.

autosomes

______ imprinted genes are genes that are silenced ("turned off") when inherited from the mother. So, only the allele from the father is expressed in the offspring. 


Maternally

_______ imprinted genes are genes that are silenced when inherited from the father. So, only the allele from the mother is expressed in the offspring.  


Paternally 

When a gene is said to be imprinted, then that gene will be _____ .

silenced

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