Epistasis

Epistasis is a genetic phenomenon in which one gene (suppressor) suppresses the action of another gene. It is widely found in the genetics of cancer cells and several other medical problems. When the moment comes when both genes should be activated, one of them is suppressed, and thus only one gene is activated. As a result, the genetic control of certain processes that regulate many aspects of our lives, including our physical and mental state, is disrupted.

One example of epistasis is a study conducted by Susan Riskus and her colleagues at Duke University. They found that mutation of one gene, ABL1, suppressed the mutation of the BCR-ABL gene. So while one gene mutates can lead to blood cancer, another gene mutates by only a small percentage. This makes it possible to suppress the development of cancer in general.

Another example is epistasis analysis of genes involved in depression. Research shows that there are several genes associated with the development of depression. However, combining these genes leads to different results. For example, a combination of genes encoding serotonin and norepinephrine can cause depression, while at the same time, their combination with a gene for glutamate and other neurotransmitters can reduce the severity of the disease.

Epistasis is also important in the field of genomics. Genetic tests for dominant genes reveal hidden epistasis. In other words, epistasis only works when the double gene is present in the cells of the body. This significantly reduces the accuracy of diagnosis, since additional tests are required to detect epistasis. Finally, epistasis lies at the intersection of genetics and medicine. In particular, epistasis research allows us to determine the role of genes in the development of various diseases, and also offers new directions for the development of diagnostic tools and therapeutics, such as pharmacology and biochemistry.