pleiotropic

[ plahy-uh-trop-ik, -troh-pik ]

adjective

1. Genetics. responsible for or affecting more than one phenotypic characteristic:

   Scientists are trying to determine if the various effects of pleiotropic genes are sensitive in different ways to different environmental influences.

Other Word Forms

• plei·o·trop·ic·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pleiotropic¹

pleio- + -tropic ( def )

Example Sentences

"Ethanol is highly pleiotropic. Beyond its reinforcing effects, it alters the functioning of multiple organs and cell types," Contet says.

From Science Daily

The strong selection to survive until reproduction may favor so-called pleiotropic genes, which are helpful in early life but harmful later on.

From Science Magazine

For instance, a genetic variant may contribute a small amount of risk for a complex disease, but it may not be harmful in the context of at least some genetic variants that have canceling, or “negative pleiotropic,” effects.

From Scientific American

Two pleiotropic classes of daf-2 mutation affect larval arrest, adult behavior, reproduction and longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans.

From Nature

Indeed, many of these genetic variants may be pleiotropic, meaning they have different, often unrelated effects in different cells or tissues.

From Time