Abstract
Genetic imprinting describes an epigenetic phenomenon in which genes are expressed according to whether they are inherited via the male or the female. It suggests that a conflict exists in mammals, where mothers and fathers have different interests in generating and supporting their offspring. Imprinted genes are expressed in the placenta during embryo development where they have a direct influence on embryo growth. However, many imprinted genes are also active in the brain, and a knockout analysis of such genes has shown that they are involved in regulating behavioral patterns. By studying the evolution of mate choice preferences in natural populations of house mice, we identified a paternal influence in choosing mates from their own population and found imprinted candidate loci that could be involved in this behavior. This supports the notion that imprinted genes have evolved to balance conflicts of interests between the sexes.
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