A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism is a variation in a single base pair in a DNA sequence among individuals or paired chromosomes. These common genetic variations, where one nucleotide is substituted for another, serve as biological markers that can influence an individual’s response to medications, susceptibility to disease, and hormonal metabolic pathways. Identifying specific SNPs is central to the practice of personalized medicine.
Origin
The concept of SNPs has been known since the earliest days of molecular genetics, but the systematic identification and mapping of millions of human SNPs became feasible with the completion of the Human Genome Project in the early 2000s. The term itself precisely describes the smallest possible unit of genetic variation.
Mechanism
The mechanism of effect occurs when an SNP is located within a gene’s coding region, a regulatory sequence, or an intron. A change in a single base pair can alter the amino acid sequence of the resulting protein, change the efficiency of gene transcription, or modify the splicing of messenger RNA. For hormonal health, specific SNPs can affect the function of hormone receptors, the activity of metabolizing enzymes like CYP450, or the synthesis of critical cofactors, thereby subtly altering endocrine function.
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