Intragenese

Intragenese is a term that appears sporadically in genetics literature to denote phenomena that occur within a single gene. The exact usage varies by author, but it is generally understood as referring to intragenic processes—genetic alterations or events confined to one gene rather than spanning multiple genes or larger chromosomal regions.

In practical terms, intragenic phenomena can include intragenic mutations, such as point mutations, insertions, or deletions within the coding or regulatory regions of a gene, as well as intragenic recombination, where recombination events take place within the sequence of a single gene and produce mosaic or chimeric alleles. These changes can alter the function, regulation, or expression pattern of the gene without directly impacting neighboring genes.

The term is not universally adopted in standard nomenclature, and many researchers prefer more specific terms such as intragenic mutation, intragenic recombination, or simply within-gene alterations. When encountered, intragenese is usually interpreted from context to mean alterations or recombination events that are restricted to a single gene, rather than affecting broader genomic regions.

Related concepts include intragenic mutations, intragenic recombination, and broader discussions of gene-level genetic variation. In plant biotechnology, analogous ideas are discussed under intragenesis or cisgenesis, which describe introducing genetic material within the same species or closely related genomes, though these terms have distinct technical definitions.