DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/97C5-2M97
Defense Date
2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Human Genetics
First Advisor
Joe Landry
Abstract
Genomic imprinting results in monoallelic parent-of-origin gene expression. Therian mammals show conclusive evidence for imprinting, while the evidence in Aves is conflicting. It’s unclear if Aves have the proteins necessary for establishment and maintenance of imprinting loci. Every examined avian orthologue to mammalian imprinted genes shows biallelic expression providing evidence for a lack of imprinting in Aves. While the known parent-of-origin quantitative trait loci in chicken do not overlap with differentiated methylated regions, further analysis with a larger sample size is required. No transcript in the chicken transcriptome at incubation day 4.5 shows parent-of-origin expression, providing strong evidence for a lack of imprinting at this stage of development. Investigating expression of the chicken transcriptome at additional developmental time points, and the transcriptome of other Aves would provide decisive evidence on the presence or lack of imprinting in Aves. Based on current knowledge, Aves lack imprinting as observed in mammals.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
May 2014