Allelic exclusion

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-012854",
  "term": "Allelic exclusion",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A genetic mechanism in diploid organisms where only one of the two parental alleles for a particular gene is expressed, while the other is transcriptionally silenced. This process is particularly notable in lymphocytes, where it applies to the genes encoding antigen receptors. For B cells, this results in the expression of only one type of light chain (kappa or lambda) and one type of heavy chain for the antibody on the cell surface.",
  "subject": "Chemistry and Human Health",
  "see_also": [
    "T lymphocyte",
    "antigen receptor",
    "lymphocyte"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2012, 84, 1113. 'IUPAC glossary of terms used in immunotoxicology (IUPAC Recommendations 2012)' on page 1120 (https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-11-06-03)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/allelic-exclusion/"
}