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

• pleiotropically adverb

Etymology

Origin of pleiotropic

pleio- + -tropic ( def. )

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

Loss of function of this gene in mouse leads to a failure of hindlimb formation22, 23 as well as strong pleiotropic defects in lung25 and placental development22.

From Nature • Dec. 13, 2016

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