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Gene Regulation and Epigenetics · USMLE Step 1

Which of the following describes “genomic imprinting” correctly?

  1. Random activation of either the maternal or paternal allele per cell
  2. Expression of a gene from one parental allele, the other epigenetically silenced
  3. A permanent inherited mutation arising in the expressed allele
  4. Somatic recombination occurring between the two parental chromosomes
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Correct answer: Expression of a gene from one parental allele, the other epigenetically silenced

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic phenomenon in which one parental allele is silenced (e.g., by DNA methylation) and only the other is expressed, without changing the DNA sequence.

Difficulty: Medium Question 17 of 20

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