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Epistasis01:39

Epistasis

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In addition to multiple alleles at the same locus influencing traits, numerous genes or alleles at different locations may interact and influence phenotypes in a phenomenon called epistasis. For example, rabbit fur can be black or brown depending on whether the animal is homozygous dominant or heterozygous at a TYRP1 locus. However, if the rabbit is also homozygous recessive at a locus on the tyrosinase gene (TYR), it will have an unshaded coat that appears white, regardless of its TYRP1...
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Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
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In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
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Although Mendel chose seven unrelated traits in peas to study gene segregation, most traits involve multiple gene interactions that create a spectrum of phenotypes. When the interaction of various genes or alleles at different locations influences a phenotype, this is called epistasis. Epistasis often involves one gene masking or interfering with the expression of another (antagonistic epistasis). Epistasis often occurs when different genes are part of the same biochemical pathway. The...
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Tattooing as a phenotypic gambit.

Christopher D Lynn1, Michaela E Howells2, Michael P Muehlenbein3

  • 1Department of Anthropology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35487, USA.

American Journal of Biological Anthropology
|April 3, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Tattooing may enhance immune response. Increased tattoo experience correlates with stronger bacteria-killing activity, suggesting it boosts innate immunological vigilance for future protection.

Keywords:
bacteria-killing activityimmune functionphenotypic gambitstresstattooing

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Area of Science:

  • Human biology
  • Immunology
  • Behavioral science

Background:

  • Tattooing is a widespread ancient practice.
  • It involves wounding the skin, seemingly counterintuitive to immune health.
  • Tattooing may be a costly signal of fitness or an immune stimulant.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the hypothesis that tattooing highlights immunological health.
  • To investigate the relationship between tattoo experience and immune response.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed bacteria killing activity (BKA) in saliva samples from 40 participants.
  • Compared BKA before and after new tattoos.
  • Correlated BKA with tattoo experience (body coverage, time spent).

Main Results:

  • Tattoo experience positively predicted post-tattoo BKA (β=0.48, p=0.01).
  • Individuals with more tattoo experience showed a more immediate and active immune response.

Conclusions:

  • Tattooing may not be an evolved behavior but a phenotypic gambit.
  • Accumulated tattoo experience may enhance innate immunological vigilance.
  • This heightened vigilance could offer protection against future skin insults.