Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy ( gr pleio = full ' and trop = turn ', ' phrase ') or pleiotropism is a term used in genetics. This means the change in a plurality of phenotypic characteristics, which is caused by a single gene. The counterpart to this is the polygeny.

The cause of pleiotropic effects is to be found in the transcription and translation products. Most genetic disorders have pleiotropic effects. A classic example of the occurrence of pleiotropy is Marfan's syndrome, in which the fibrillin gene on chromosome 15 is affected. The result is Bindegewebsdefekte in a variety of organs with different expressivity. Other pleiotropic disorders are cystic fibrosis and phenylketonuria.

As antagonistic pleiotropy pleiotropy which plays a central role in the current understanding of the aging process.

In pharmacology pleiotropy is the name for various effects of a substance. Pleiotropic effects of HMG -CoA reductase inhibitors ( lipid lowering ) relate not only to cholesterol lowering, for example, endothelial, inflammatory response and blood clotting.