Novel nongenetic allele-specific expression in the mammalian brain

• DOI: 10.33524/0f-1pr1-3zxc
• Publication Date: 2019-01-01
• Authors: Wei-Chao Huang
• Keywords: Genomic Imprinting; Allelic exclusion; Imprinting (psychology)

Most genes in a diploid organism are thought to be expressed and regulated equally by the two parental alleles. However, subset of referred as monoallelically-expressed preferentially only on maternal or paternal allele. Monoallelically-expressed include imprinted genes, which express either allele p referentially, well random monoallelic that choose one at random. Examples vivo X-linked females, immunoglobulins B cells, clustered protocadherins, olfactory receptors. these examples generally rare mammalian genome confined few have uniquely organization genome. In this dissertation, new genome-wide analysis methods were developed reveal lands cape epigenetic allelic effects mous e. Chapter 2 details discovery novel, noncanonical genomic imprinting enriched brain. 3 development genomics statistical identif y their alleles differentially through nongenetic mechanisms. This novel screening strategy was applied landscape mouse brain different ages rofile tissue types. The dissertation describes diverse forms differential expression mouse, macaque, human brains, demonstrates interact with heterozygous mutations shape genetic architecture cellular level vivo. results challenge current thinking fields genetics revealing vivo, describe mechanisms may phenotypic variation susceptibility disease. Although functions unknown, regulatory involved yet defined, future field is discussed.