genomic imprinting

Epigenetic process that leads to inactivation of the paternal or maternal allele of certain genes. (see imprinted gene) The differential modification in expression of certain mammalian genes dependent upon parental origin is known as genomic imprinting. Prader-Willi syndrome & Angelman syndrome represent the best examples of this phenomenon in humans. Although the molecular mechanisms of genomic imprinting are unknown, DNA methylation has been postulated to play a role in the imprinting process.

References

Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999.