<p>It might be used differently in different contexts, but generally speaking, in my world - allelic imbalance is when there's a difference in the level of gene expression from different alleles, usually through genetic (e.g. a variant in a promoter) or epigenetic mechanisms (e.g. one copy silenced, as in imprinted regions).</p>

<p>There are a <a href="http://nathansheffield.com/wordpress/what-is-allelic-imbalance/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">few</a> <a href="https://www.rna-seqblog.com/direct-testing-for-allele-specific-expression-differences-between-conditions/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">blog</a> posts here with some more information, and plenty of papers (google "Allelic imbalance") if you want to dig deeper.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-29T13:13:59.283Z
2018-12-03T16:50:20.507Z
2018-12-03T16:50:20.507Z
JenG
<p>Can anyone help me explain what allelic imbalance is, hopefully shortly? 
Surprisingly, we cannot find any introduction online. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-29T11:49:39.433Z
Some more context would help. Where did you see the term? Is it with respect to a phenotype? A gene? A population? An individual?
terdon
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-29T14:31:41.180Z
You may also consider looking into allele-specific expression. That may turn up more information on allelic imbalance.
LucasBoatwright
<phylogenetics>
What is Allelic Imbalance
# What is Allelic Imbalance

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-11-29)

Can anyone help me explain what allelic imbalance is, hopefully shortly?
Surprisingly, we cannot find any introduction online.

**Tags:** phylogenetics
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Some more context would help. Where did you see the term? Is it with respect to a phenotype? A gene? A population? An individual?  
> **username_2**: You may also consider looking into allele-specific expression. That may turn up more information on allelic imbalance.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2018-11-29. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

It might be used differently in different contexts, but generally speaking, in my world - allelic imbalance is when there's a difference in the level of gene expression from different alleles, usually through genetic (e.g. a variant in a promoter) or epigenetic mechanisms (e.g. one copy silenced, as in imprinted regions).

There are a [few](http://nathansheffield.com/wordpress/what-is-allelic-imbalance/) [blog](https://www.rna-seqblog.com/direct-testing-for-allele-specific-expression-differences-between-conditions/) posts here with some more information, and plenty of papers (google "Allelic imbalance") if you want to dig deeper.


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