A maternal-offspring coadaptation theory for the evolution of genomic imprinting.

ABSTRACT: Imprinted genes are expressed either from the maternally or paternally inherited copy only, and they play a key role in regulating complex biological processes, including offspring development and mother-offspring interactions. There are several competing theories attempting to explain the evolutionary origin of this monoallelic pattern of gene expression, but a prevailing view has emerged that holds that genomic imprinting is a consequence of conflict between maternal and paternal gene copies over maternal investment. However, many imprinting patterns and the apparent overabundance of maternally expressed genes remain unexplained and may be incompatible with current theory. Here we demonstrate that sole expression of maternal gene copies is favored by natural selection because it increase

SUBMITTER: Wolf JB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1635750 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature