While imprinted genes have been linked to a variety of diseases, until now only several dozen have been identified. But a new report reveals a map of 156 new likely imprinted genes scattered throughout the human genome (Luedi PP et al. Genome Res. 2007;17[12]:1723-1730).
Unlike the majority of genes—in which both the maternally and paternally inherited copies are active—in imprinted genes, one of these copies is silenced.
"We're hoping this new roadmap will help us and others find more information about how these genes affect our health and well-being," said Randy Jirtle, PhD, a genetics researcher in the departments of radiation oncology and pathology at Duke University in Durham, NC, and a senior author of the study.
Jirtle and colleagues used DNA sequence information from known imprinted genes to uncover other genes likely to be imprinted. Two of the identified genes were studied in depth and . . . [Full Text of this Article]
