Random monoallelic expression: regulating gene expression one allele at a time.

Random monoallelic expression: regulating gene expression one allele at a time.
Trends Genet. 2014 Apr 25;
Authors: Eckersley-Maslin MA, Spector DL
Abstract
Monoallelic gene expression is a remarkable process in which transcription occurs from only one of two homologous alleles in a diploid cell. Interestingly, between 0.5% and 15% of autosomal genes exhibit random monoallelic gene expression, in which different cells express only one allele independently of the underlying genomic sequence, in a cell type-specific manner. Recently, genome-wide studies have increased our understanding of the cell type-specific incidence of random monoallelic gene expression, and how the imbalance in allelic expression is distinguished within the cell and potentially maintained across cell generations. Monoallelic gene expression is likely generated through stochastic independent regulation of the two alleles upon differentiation, and has varied implications for the cell and organism, in particular with respect to disease.
PMID: 24780084 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Trends in Genetics : TIG - April 25, 2014 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Eckersley-Maslin MA, Spector DL Tags: Trends Genet Source Type: research