Definition of epistasis in English:
epistasis
noun ɪˈpɪstəsɪsəˈpistəsəs
mass nounGenetics The interaction of genes that are not alleles, in particular the suppression of the effect of one such gene by another.
Example sentencesExamples
- For geneticists, epistasis is associated with the limits of the additive model of gene action.
- This advantage of sex should be especially substantial when mutations interact through negative epistasis.
- These results suggest that future genetic models for the evolution of aging should incorporate the effects of epistasis.
- Genetic epistasis of gene expression can also be considered with large sample sizes.
- Neither earlier study was able to demonstrate a significant effect of epistasis, either positive or negative.
Derivatives
adjective ˌɛpɪˈstatɪk
Genetics Thus, neither allele is epistatic to the other in permitting the occurrence of expansions or contractions.
Example sentencesExamples
- It is known that epistatic selection may produce significant linkage disequilibrium in natural populations.
- Such sites may be indicative of hotspots of recombination or mutation or epistatic selection.
- The results suggested that a minimum of two genes with epistatic effects were involved in the genetic control of cleistogamy.
- This study shows that most hybrid incompatibilities are recessive and epistatic.
Origin
Early 19th century: from Greek, literally 'stoppage', from ephistanai 'to stop'.