Genomic imprinting

- For a few mammalian traits, the phenotype depends on which parent passed along the alleles for those traits​ - Such variation in phenotype is called genomic imprinting​ - Genomic imprinting involves the silencing of certain genes depending on which parent passes them on​ - Most imprinted genes are on autosomes​ - The mouse gene for insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf2) was one of the first imprinted genes to be identified​ - Only the paternal allele of this gene is expressed​