Biopolymers and cell. 1991. Volume 7. № 2. 73 - 80

BARANOV V. S.

Chromosome Impriting and Hereditary Diseases

Summary

    Current conception of chromosome imprinting as universal mechanism of gene regulation in mammalian ontogenesis is reviewed. The examples of chromosome imprinting at the level of the whole genome (true moles, individual chromosomes (non-random X-chromosome inactivation, isodisomy of autosomes, embryogenesis of aneuploides, non-random loss of maternal chromosomes in embryonic tumors), chromosomal segments and individual genes (Prader—Willi syndrome, Huntington's chorea, Martin—Bell syndrome) are presented. The participation of chromosome imprinting in transgenic animals in functional hemizy-gocity of human genome and aging is briefly outlined. Possible molecular mechanisms of chromosome imprinting (methylation, heterochromatization) are discussed. Application of chromosome imprinting for addressed regulation of parental gene expression and correction of genetic disorders is suggested.