Anticipation (genetics)

Anticipation (genetics)

Anticipation is a phenomenon in genetics where the symptoms of a genetic disorder become apparent at an earlier age as it is passed on to the next generation. In most cases, this phenomenon of anticipation is seen in diseases that are caused by a certain type of mutation called a trinucleotide repeat expansion.

Pronunciation

Anticipation: /ænˌtɪsɪˈpeɪʃən/

Etymology

The term "anticipation" in genetics is derived from the Latin word "anticipatio" which means "taking into account beforehand". In the context of genetics, it refers to the earlier onset of genetic disorders in each successive generation.

Related Terms

• Genetic disorder
• Mutation
• Trinucleotide repeat expansion
• Genetic inheritance

Explanation

In genetics, anticipation is a phenomenon that can occur with certain genetic disorders. These disorders are often caused by a type of mutation known as a trinucleotide repeat expansion. This mutation causes a sequence of three nucleotides to be repeated a number of times in a row on a chromosome.

As this mutation is passed on from one generation to the next, the number of trinucleotide repeats can increase. This increase can cause the disease to appear at an earlier age in each successive generation and often with increasing severity, a phenomenon known as anticipation.

Some examples of genetic disorders that exhibit anticipation include Huntington's disease, Myotonic dystrophy, and certain forms of Ataxia.

See Also

• Genetic anticipation
• Trinucleotide repeat disorder
• Genetic inheritance patterns

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Anticipation (genetics)
• Wikipedia's article - Anticipation (genetics)

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