Cells Can Randomly Use One Copy of a Gene Over the Other (IMAGE)

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Cells Can Randomly Use One Copy of a Gene Over the Other

Caption

The nucleus of every cell in our body contains two copies of each gene, encoded in our DNA (nuclei outlined in purple, DNA for individual genes labeled in red). In general, these copies are used equally, but on occasion, the cell chooses to use just one (seen here in yellow/green). Today, researchers from CSHL have discovered that this truly random process, known as monoallelic gene expression, occurs during development, offering an unexpected glimpse of the significant variability in gene expression.

Credit

David Spector, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

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