title: Known unknowns for allele-specific expression and genomic imprinting effects.
abstract: Recent studies have provided evidence for non-canonical imprinting effects that are associated with allele-specific expression biases at the tissue level in mice. These imprinting effects have features that are distinct from canonical imprinting effects that involve allele silencing. Here, I discuss some of the evidence for non-canonical imprinting effects in the context of random X-inactivation and epigenetic allele-specific expression effects on the autosomes. I propose several mechanisms that may underlie non-canonical imprinting effects and outline future directions and approaches to study these effects at the cellular level in vivo. The growing evidence for complex allele-specific expression effects that are cell- and developmental stage-specific has opened a new frontier for study. Currently, the function of these effects and the underlying regulatory mechanisms are largely unknown.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy and Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, 323 Wintrobe Bldg 530, University of Utah, School of Medicine 20 North 1900 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84132-3401 USA ; The New York Stem Cell Foundation 178 Columbus Avenue #237064, New York, NY 10023 USA.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gregg