Phenomena and Processes

Genetic Dosage Compensation

Genetic mechanisms that allow GENES to be expressed at a similar level irrespective of their GENE DOSAGE. This term is usually used in discussing genes that lie on the SEX CHROMOSOMES. Because the sex chromosomes are only partially homologous, there is a different copy number, i.e., dosage, of these genes in males vs. females. In DROSOPHILA, dosage compensation is accomplished by hypertranscription of genes located on the X CHROMOSOME. In mammals, dosage compensation of X chromosome genes is accomplished by random X CHROMOSOME INACTIVATION of one of the two X chromosomes in the female.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Genetic mechanisms that allow GENES to be expressed at a similar level irrespective of their GENE DOSAGE. This term is usually used in discussing genes that lie on the SEX CHROMOSOMES. Because the sex chromosomes are only partially homologous, there is a different copy number, i.e., dosage, of these genes in males vs. females. In DROSOPHILA, dosage compensation is accomplished by hypertranscription of genes located on the X CHROMOSOME. In mammals, dosage compensation of X chromosome genes is accomplished by random X CHROMOSOME INACTIVATION of one of the two X chromosomes in the female.

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Synonyms

13 entry terms
  • Dosage Compensation (Genetics)
  • Dosage Compensation, Genetic
  • Gene Dosage Compensation
  • Compensation, Dosage (Genetics)
  • Compensation, Gene Dosage
  • Compensation, Genetic Dosage
  • Dosage Compensation, Gene
  • Gene Dosage Compensations
  • Genetic Dosage Compensations
  • Hypertranscription, X-Chromosome
  • X-Chromosome Hypertranscription
  • Hypertranscription, X Chromosome
  • X Chromosome Hypertranscription

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6 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings drug effects, ethics, genetics, immunology, physiology, radiation effects.

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Indexing Annotation

do not confuse with GENE DOSAGE

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History Note

2006 (1982)

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Previous Indexing

  • Sex Chromosomes (1968-1981)
  • X Chromosome (1978-1981)

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References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Genetic Dosage Compensation. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D004303. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D004303
  2. Genetic Dosage Compensation. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex-chromosome_dosage_compensation
  3. Genetic Dosage Compensation. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13417137