pleiotropy

American  

[plahy-o-truh-pee] / plaɪˈɒ trə pi /

noun

Genetics.

1. the phenomenon of one gene being responsible for or affecting more than one phenotypic characteristic.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pleiotropic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of pleiotropy

First recorded in 1935–40; pleio- + -tropy

Explanation

When a single gene affects more than one trait in an organism, that's known as pleiotropy. It's genetic pleiotropy that makes dogs with mottled, bluish-gray coats more likely to also be deaf and blind. Pleiotropy is most obvious when something goes wrong in an organism, causing a mutation in a gene that affects multiple characteristics. In the human disorder known as PKU, a defect in one gene causes cognitive disability, eczema, and pale skin. Some chickens have a gene that causes them to lay fewer eggs, but also gives them frizzled feathers and a high metabolism. The Greek root of pleiotropy is pleiōn, "greater in quantity."

Example Sentences

In genetics, the concept of pleiotropy posits that a single mutation can influence multiple traits.

From Science Daily • Dec. 8, 2023

"The antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis predicts that most mutations that increase reproduction but reduce lifespan have larger fitness advantages than disadvantages so are selectively favored," Zhang said.

From Science Daily • Dec. 8, 2023

It’s a classic case of antagonistic pleiotropy, where a process that is beneficial earlier in life becomes harmful later on.

From Scientific American • Jul. 31, 2023

This form of biological overlap, in which the same genes are thought to influence several apparently unrelated traits, is known as pleiotropy.

From Salon • Dec. 12, 2022

Efforts to dissect the genotype–phenotype map in model organisms and humans have revealed unexpected complexities, implicating many, novel loci, pervasive pleiotropy, and context-dependent effects.

From Nature • Feb. 8, 2012