Imprinted Genes

Imprinted genes are a special group of genes where only one copy is active, depending on whether it was inherited from the mother or the father. Normally, we have two copies of each gene, but in imprinting, one copy is turned off through chemical tags. This precise regulation influences important aspects of development, such as growth and brain function. Imprinted genes are crucial for normal development, and errors in their regulation can lead to disorders like Prader-Willi or Angelman syndrome. This process highlights how parental origins can uniquely control gene activity, impacting health and development.