pleiotropy
noun
plei·ot·ro·py
plī-ˈä-trə-pē 
genetics
: the phenomenon of a single gene influencing two or more distinct phenotypic traits : the quality or state of being pleiotropic
In genetics, there's a concept called pleiotropy, which posits that a single gene can influence multiple traits. [Steven] Tanksley suggests there's substantial evidence that at least some domesticated fruits selected for greater size were also altered in shape because both traits were controlled by the same selected gene or set of genes.—
Scott LeFee
Scott LeFeeExamples of pleiotropy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The authors note that these extended life spans are part of what enabled them to find evidence for antagonistic pleiotropy in the genomic data.
—Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023
That’s via a process known as pleiotropy—the phenomenon in which one genetic locus affects two or more traits.
—Frederick Kaufman, Fortune, 30 July 2023
Antagonistic pleiotropy is particularly useful for medical researchers.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2011
This has lead to speculation on this weblog from commenters about pleiotropy between genes for height and intelligence, or height and I.Q. as independent signals for mutational load.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 May 2011
But that might be because it has been shaped by antagonistic pleiotropy.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2011
Not too surprising due to the relatively ubiquity of pleiotropy; one gene with many effects.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 13 Nov. 2013
There is no doubt that even simple genetic abnormalities may cause many phenotypic consequences; this is called pleiotropy.
—Jessica Riskin, The New York Review of Books, 21 Apr. 2022
Combine pleiotropy, the effect of one gene on multiple traits, with polygeny and epistasis, and the tangle of abstraction gets intractable very quickly.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 Jan. 2011
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Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023
That’s via a process known as pleiotropy—the phenomenon in which one genetic locus affects two or more traits.
—Frederick Kaufman, Fortune, 30 July 2023
Antagonistic pleiotropy is particularly useful for medical researchers.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2011
This has lead to speculation on this weblog from commenters about pleiotropy between genes for height and intelligence, or height and I.Q. as independent signals for mutational load.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 May 2011
But that might be because it has been shaped by antagonistic pleiotropy.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2011
Not too surprising due to the relatively ubiquity of pleiotropy; one gene with many effects.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 13 Nov. 2013
There is no doubt that even simple genetic abnormalities may cause many phenotypic consequences; this is called pleiotropy.
—Jessica Riskin, The New York Review of Books, 21 Apr. 2022
Combine pleiotropy, the effect of one gene on multiple traits, with polygeny and epistasis, and the tangle of abstraction gets intractable very quickly.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 Jan. 2011
Cite this Entry
“Pleiotropy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pleiotropy. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
pleiotropy
noun
plei·ot·ro·py
plī-ˈä-trə-pē
plural pleiotropies
: the quality or state of being pleiotropic
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