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Epistatic Interactions

Meaning

Epistatic Interactions describe a complex genetic phenomenon where the effect of one gene, or locus, on a phenotype is modified by one or more other genes at different loci. This is a non-additive interaction, meaning the combined effect of the genes is not simply the sum of their individual effects, which is crucial in polygenic traits like hormone metabolism or longevity. Understanding these interactions is essential because a single genetic variation may only manifest its full clinical significance in the context of specific variations in other genes. The concept highlights the interconnectedness of the human genome in determining biological outcomes.