pseudoallo

pseudoallo refers to a specific type of genetic recombination that occurs between alleles of the same gene. This phenomenon is distinct from typical recombination events, which usually involve different genes or regions of DNA. In pseudoallelism, two genes that are functionally related and often located very close to each other on a chromosome can undergo recombination. However, these genes are not truly allelic in the classical sense; they are separate loci that, due to their close proximity and shared function, can be acted upon by the recombination machinery in a way that mimics allelic interaction.

The concept of pseudoallelism arose from classical genetic experiments where individuals heterozygous for what appeared to be a single gene exhibited unexpected recombination frequencies. These frequencies suggested a separation of factors within what was initially considered a single gene locus. Further molecular analysis revealed that these "factors" were actually distinct but closely linked genes. Recombination between these pseudoalleles results in the production of new allele combinations, which can lead to altered phenotypes. Understanding pseudoallelism was crucial in the development of gene mapping techniques and the realization that genes are not always discrete, indivisible units. It highlights the complexity of genetic organization and the intricate mechanisms of recombination.