The exploration of life is unending, as there are thousands of aspects still to be discovered. From the fascinating working of neurons in the brain to the complex system of genetics, biology is one of the most diverse fields of study. This blog will discuss the phenomenon of Pleiotropy, a term that indicates the condition of having multiple traits. Ludwig Plate, a German zoologist, introduced the terminology in 1910. After Plate’s definition, many scientists explored the process further, leading to different results. This blog aims to simplify Pleiotropy, explain what it is, and how it impacts life in unprecedented ways.
Pleiotropy Definition in Simple Terms
Pleiotropy is the phenomenon that points to a condition when a single gene starts affecting multiple characteristics of living organisms. It is the concept of genetics or molecular biology, where a single gene mutation can lead to diverse results. Pleiotropy is not a disease, but it can trigger the development of disorders. One example is Marfan Syndrome, caused by genetic variation due to Pleiotropy. This condition frequently affects the eyes, heart, blood vessels, and bones.
What is Pleiotropy – Biological Explanation
The name “pleiotropy” comes from the Greek terms “pleio,” which means “many,” and “tropos,” which means “turns or directions.” According to the scientific Pleiotropy definition, it occurs when a single gene has several far-reaching impacts on an organism’s growth and functioning. Since it refers to one gene controlling multiple phenotypic traits, it produces diverse effects in natural reactions. It indicates that a particular gene influences multiple elements in an organism’s phenotype, such as physical appearance, physiology, and behavior.
Gene Pleiotropy
Also referred to as molecular gene pleiotropy, it focuses on the functionality of any particular gene that impacts various biochemical factors leading to changes in function among natural characteristics. Biochemical aspects include all the enzyme reactions catalyzed by protein compositions of the gene. Consider a gene that controls the appearance of a flower. In a gene pleiotropic situation, this single flower gene can impact not just the color of the flower but also the form of the petals, the scent, or even the plant’s growth rate. As a result, a single gene has plenty of effects on organism phenotype (observable qualities). Here are the two types of gene pleiotropy in which a single gene affects multiple traits but the process and outcomes differ.
Developmental Pleiotropy
In developmental pleiotropy, the gene impacts multiple natural traits that can be diverse and have no relation with each other. Consider a gene that influences both the development of bones and human eye color. As it affects more than one element of physical appearance and development, this gene demonstrates developmental pleiotropy. This mechanism focuses on the mutations and their relative effect on multiple characteristics. Developmental pleiotropy shapes the variety we see in living organisms, from humans to plants. It explains how a single gene change can develop significant changes among different organs.
Selectional Pleiotropy
Selectional pleiotropy focuses on the impact of gene mutations that cause changes in separate fitness traits that also involve the passing of genes from one generation to the next via sexual reproduction. It’s equivalent to having one gene that governs several elements of an organism’s features rather than just one. Consider a gene that influences the color of an animal’s fur and its speed. If this gene has a favorable influence on fur color but a negative effect on running speed, the animal has to establish a compromise between the two features.
Antagonistic Pleiotropy
In 1957, George C. Williams proposed a hypothesis explaining how the natural aging phenomenon can produce pleiotropic alleles (DNA sequence variation). The term “Antagonistic” in antagonistic pleiotropy, refers to the conflicting nature a gene can develop as the age passes. Consider a gene that regulates a specific trait of an organism, such as how quickly it reproduces. This gene can cause an organism to reproduce fast in its early stages, which is beneficial since it enhances the odds of passing its genes to the next generation. However, as the organism ages, this gene may cause undesired effects. For instance, It might cause health problems or reduce the organism’s survival rate. In this situation, the benefit of fast reproduction early in life is “antagonistic” with detrimental repercussions later in life. One real-life example of antagonistic pleiotropy is sickle cell, where the Hb-S gene mutation can have several advantages and disadvantages.
Major Examples of Pleiotropy
To understand pleiotropy in detail, let’s see some real-world examples of gene mutation and its impacts on life. These examples demonstrate why the study of genetics is crucial in understanding life variations and how a single gene change can affect many elements of a person’s life.
Pigmentation and Deafness in Cats
Studies show that 40% of cats with blue eyes and white fur are deaf. Pleiotropic genes cause this condition in cats also leading to pigmentation variations. Studies conducted to find the correlation between pigmentation and deafness show that organisms lacking in pigmentation also lacked fluid flow toward ear canals, causing bursting and eventually leading to deafness. The “white” (W) gene is responsible for the white coat color in cats. This gene can potentially influence the development of inner ear components, resulting in congenital deafness in afflicted cats. The W gene codes for a protein involved in both melanocyte (pigment-producing cells) development and the formation of inner ear components. The presence of the W gene in some forms or mutations might result in a shortage of melanocytes in the skin, resulting in a white coat. However, this identical mutation can disturb the natural growth of the inner ear’s hair cells, resulting in deafness.
Sickle Cell
One of the most common types of pleiotropic conditions in humans is Sickle Cell disease. It occurs due to the disorder of irregularly shaped Red Blood Cells (RBC) is different from normal biconcave RBC with extensive quantities of hemoglobin. RBCs are responsible for binding tissues and transporting oxygen to all available cells. The mutation in the beta-globin gene forms irregularly shaped sickle cells. These cells cluster together, blocking veins and blood flow, resulting in various health problems such as heart, brain, and lung issues. Pleiotropy is evident in sickle cell disease due to the wide-ranging impact of the hemoglobin gene mutation on different cellular systems.
PKU
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is another example of pleiotropy that causes various issues such as mental retardation, hair reduction, and pigmentation variation. PKU is caused by a large number of single-gene mutations that are responsible for Phenylalanine Hydroxylase (PAH) enzymes production. These catalysts generally break down the amino acids phenylalanine. Due to pleiotropy, the level of these proteins increases causing damage to the nervous system. The pleiotropic effects of the mutated PAH gene generate phenylalanine buildup, which causes the different symptoms associated with PKU. Early identification and dietary treatment can assist to avoid or reduce the negative consequences of PKU on a person’s health and development.
Summary
To conclude, pleiotropy is the condition of genetics that causes variations in natural organisms’ genetics. It can often arise through overlapping mechanisms in the natural gene cycle. Gene pleiotropy primarily focuses on a particular gene functionality while in developmental and selectional pleiotropy, the emphasis is on the relative impact on traits and separate fitness components. Deafness in cats, sickle cell disease, and PKU are some common examples of pleiotropy. It emphasizes the intricacy of genetic effects on an organism’s properties and the interdependence of biological processes.
