pleiotropic

American  

[plahy-uh-trop-ik, -troh-pik] / ˌplaɪ əˈtrɒp ɪk, -ˈtroʊ pɪk /

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.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pleiotropically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of pleiotropic

pleio- + -tropic ( def. )

Explanation

In organisms, a pleiotropic gene is one that influences more than one trait. Some cats are born with a pleiotropic gene that causes them to have white fur, blue eyes, and deafness. When scientists first began to understand the basic idea of genetics, most believed that each of an organism's genes affected a single characteristic. Over time, they came to understand that most genes are actually pleiotropic, contributing to multiple traits. Some genetic disorders like Marfan syndrome, which results in tall stature, cardiovascular problems, and long fingers, are caused by a mutation in one pleiotropic gene. Pleiotropic derives from the Greek pleiōn, "greater in quantity" or "very many."

Example Sentences

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 • Mar. 25, 2021

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

From Time • Jan. 9, 2017

The complexity of these interactions reflects the potential for highly pleiotropic effects following primary events in chromatin modification genes.

From Nature • Jul. 3, 2013

Single genes that tweak many different body traits are called pleiotropic, and pleiotropic genes can wield their power in different ways.

From Slate • Jul. 13, 2012

Many disorders are polygenic, the complex result of the interactions of many genes, and single genes can be pleiotropic, affecting multiple characteristics of the individual organism!

From Scientific American • Jun. 15, 2012