Loss of heterozygosity means that the another allele of the gene is lost. Then only already mutated allele is left. M=maternal chromosome, P=paternal chromosome. White circle=normal allele, black circle=mutated allele, orange circle=point mutation in the allele, red circle=allele is inactivated due to the epigenetic reason. Arrows show different malicious genetic happenigs. In A-C cases the loss of heterozygosity of the gene has happened and mechanisms are different. A=The another chromosome has been lost, B=The malicious recombination has happened and C=The deletion of the normal allele has happened. In D and E cases both alleles have been inactivated, but the heterozygosity remains.
Teemu Pelkonen
2008-05-14
<span class="int-own-work" lang="en">Own work</span>