Imprinted genes: identification by chromosome rearrangements and post-genomic strategies

Imprinted genes are differentially expressed from the maternally and paternally inherited alleles. Accordingly, inheritance of both copies of an imprinted chromosome or region from a single parent leads to the mis-expression of the imprinted genes present in the selected region. Strains of mice with reciprocal and Robertsonian chromosomal translocations or mice with engineered chromosomal rearrangements can be used to produce progeny where both copies of a chromosomal region are inherited from one parent. In combination with systematic differential expression and methylation-based approaches, these mice can be used to identify novel imprinted genes. Advances in genome sequencing and computer-based technologies have facilitated this approach to finding imprinted genes.