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Updated: May 15, 2026

An Allele-specific Gene Expression Assay to Test the Functional Basis of Genetic Associations
Published on: November 3, 2010
Exploring the effects of polymorphisms on cis-regulatory signal transduction response
Alasdair MacKenzie1, Benjamin Hing, Scott Davidson
1Gene Regulatory Systems Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland AB25 2ZD, UK. alasdair.mackenzie@abdn.ac.uk
Abstract:
cis-Regulatory sequences (CRSs) direct cell-specific and inducible gene expression in response to signal transduction networks, and it is becoming apparent that many cases of disease susceptibility and drug response stratification are due to polymorphisms that alter CRS responses in a context-dependent manner. In the current review, we describe successful methods for identifying CRSs and analyzing the effects of allelic variation on their responses to signal transduction. The technologies described build on the successes of ENCODE (ENCyclopedia Of DNA Elements) by exploring the effects of polymorphisms on CRS context dependency. This understanding is essential to uncover the genomic basis of disease susceptibility and will play a major role in delivering on the promise of personalized medicine.
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