Gene knockdown

Gene Interaction

Gene interaction refers to the phenomenon where several genes influence a single trait. It is a fundamental aspect of genetics and is crucial to understanding the complexity of genetic traits and genetic diseases.

Overview

Gene interaction can be categorized into two main types: epistasis and polygenic inheritance. Epistasis occurs when one gene masks or suppresses the effect of a different gene. Polygenic inheritance, on the other hand, is when multiple genes contribute to a single trait.

Epistasis

Epistasis is a form of gene interaction where the expression of one gene is influenced by one or more other genes. The gene whose expression is affected is called the epistatic gene, while the gene that affects the expression is known as the hypostatic gene. Epistasis can be further classified into several types, including recessive epistasis, dominant epistasis, and duplicate epistasis.

Polygenic Inheritance

Polygenic inheritance is a type of gene interaction where multiple genes contribute to the phenotype of a trait. This type of inheritance is responsible for many traits that show a continuous range of variation, such as skin color, height, and body weight. The genes involved in polygenic inheritance are often referred to as quantitative trait loci (QTLs).

Gene Interaction and Genetic Diseases

Understanding gene interaction is crucial in the study of genetic diseases. Many genetic diseases are caused by the interaction of multiple genes, making them complex traits. Examples of such diseases include diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

See Also

• Genetics
• Epistasis
• Polygenic inheritance
• Genetic diseases