What is genomic imprinting?
1 Answer
Genetic imprinting is an inheritance process independent of the classical Mendelian inheritance.
Explanation:
It is an epigenetic process that involves DNA methylation and histone methylation without altering the genetic sequencing. These epigenetic marks are established ( imprinted ) in the germ line of the parents and are maintained through mitotic cell division.
Genomic imprinting is the epigenetic phenomenon by which certain genes are expressed in a parent of origin specific manner.
If the allele from the father is imprinted , it is therby silenced, and only the allele from the mother is imprinted. Similarly if the allele from the mother is imprinted only the allele from the father is expressed.
Forms of genomic imprinting have been demonstrated in fungi, plants and animals.
Appropriate imprinting of certain genes is important for normal development.
