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Mechanisms for differences in monozygous twins.

P Gringras1, W Chen

  • 1The Multiple Births Foundation, Hammersmith House, Level 4, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 OHS, UK. paulg@pobox.com

Early Human Development
|July 7, 2001
PubMed
Summary
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Identical twins (monozygotic twins) can have genetic and physical differences due to intrauterine factors. These variations challenge traditional twin research assumptions and impact clinical interpretations.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Developmental Biology
  • Twin Studies

Background:

  • Monozygotic (MZ) twins are traditionally considered genetically identical.
  • Clinical zygosity determination assumes physical differences indicate dizygosity.
  • Twin research often assumes 50% shared genes for dizygous and 100% for MZ twins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review intrauterine effects and genetic mechanisms causing MZ twin differences.
  • To highlight the growing recognition of MZ twin variations.
  • To emphasize the importance of these differences for twin research and clinical practice.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on intrauterine effects.
  • Discussion of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms.
  • Analysis of newer molecular techniques for detecting twin differences.

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Main Results:

  • Evidence increasingly challenges the assumption of complete genetic identity in MZ twins.
  • Intrauterine factors and genetic mechanisms can lead to phenotypic, genotypic, and epigenetic divergence.
  • Newer molecular techniques are identifying these differences more frequently.

Conclusions:

  • MZ twins are not always genetically identical.
  • Phenotypic, genotypic, and epigenetic differences in MZ twins are common.
  • These variations necessitate re-evaluation of assumptions in twin research and clinical settings.