Human Embryology: Chapter 2 Updates and Links

Links

• Autosomal imprinting (see chapter 2; Clinical Applications and Experimental Principles) is restricted to placental, nonmarsupial mammals. This differential imprinting of the male and female genomes may have evolved as a consequence of a conflict over the allocation of resources to offspring. The expression of male genes would favor development of his own offspring while expression of female alleles would favor herself and all of her offspring, including those sired by other males (Haig, D. and Westoby, M. 1989. Am. Naturalist. 134:147). Indeed, the imprinting of many male and female genes (there are now about two dozen known in mammals) is consistent with this theory. More recent work has also suggested a role for differential imprinting in development of the brain (see Tilghman, S.M. 1999. Cell 96:185 for review).

  The following website, maintained by the MRC provides an up-to-date listing of all imprinted genes in mice and where possible, denotes their human counterparts. The site contains imprinting maps and pertinent current references in this rapidly developing field. See: http://www.mgu.har.mrc.ac.uk/research/imprinted/imprin.html

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