7 The Conflict Theory of Genomic Imprinting: How Much Can Be Explained?

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This chapter discusses the simplest possible understanding of the genetic conflict hypothesis. It discusses that several phenomena that are apparently in conflict with the hypothesis can be explained, by relatively minor modifications of the basic model. The chapter also discusses that the genetic conflict hypothesis does not apply to the genes on X chromosomes, because additional and stronger natural selection forces are at work that promotes the genomic imprinting on X-linked genes in the opposite direction. Imprinted genes show clear characteristic patterns in their function, in the developmental stages and tissues, in which they are expressed, and in phylogenetic distribution. A series of mathematical models show that the evolution of genomic imprinting— that is, the differential expression of the paternally and maternally derived alleles of growth factor genes can be explained, by considering the cis-acting regulatory region, controlling the amount, timing, tissue specificity, and developmental stage of expression dependent on parental origin. The models explained in this chapter assumed the evolution of the cis-controlling region of the genes that code for the growth factor, growth inhibitor, or genes affecting the developmental fate of cells. Some theories based on the genetic conflict hypothesis consider more direct confrontation between genes.

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