Hypostatic gene
Encyclopedia
A hypostatic gene is one whose phenotype
is masked by the expression of an allele
at a separate locus, in an epistasis
event.
Example: In labrador retriever
s, the chocolate coat colour is a result of homozygosity
for a gene that is epistatic
to the "black vs. yellow" gene. The alleles determining whether the dog is yellow or black, are that of the hypostatic gene in this event.
Phenotype
A phenotype is an organism's observable characteristics or traits: such as its morphology, development, biochemical or physiological properties, behavior, and products of behavior...
is masked by the expression of an allele
Allele
An allele is one of two or more forms of a gene or a genetic locus . "Allel" is an abbreviation of allelomorph. Sometimes, different alleles can result in different observable phenotypic traits, such as different pigmentation...
at a separate locus, in an epistasis
Epistasis
In genetics, epistasis is the phenomenon where the effects of one gene are modified by one or several other genes, which are sometimes called modifier genes. The gene whose phenotype is expressed is called epistatic, while the phenotype altered or suppressed is called hypostatic...
event.
Example: In labrador retriever
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is one of several kinds of retriever, a type of gun dog. A breed characteristic is webbed paws for swimming, useful for the breed's original purpose of retrieving fishing nets. The Labrador is the most popular breed of dog by registered ownership in Canada, the United...
s, the chocolate coat colour is a result of homozygosity
Zygosity
Zygosity refers to the similarity of alleles for a trait in an organism. If both alleles are the same, the organism is homozygous for the trait. If both alleles are different, the organism is heterozygous for that trait...
for a gene that is epistatic
Epistasis
In genetics, epistasis is the phenomenon where the effects of one gene are modified by one or several other genes, which are sometimes called modifier genes. The gene whose phenotype is expressed is called epistatic, while the phenotype altered or suppressed is called hypostatic...
to the "black vs. yellow" gene. The alleles determining whether the dog is yellow or black, are that of the hypostatic gene in this event.