Complementation (genetics)

Article By:

Joenje, H. Department of Clinical Genetics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Levitus, Marieke Department of Clinical Genetics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Last reviewed:November 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.152700

The correction of a genetic defect through the supply of a missing component. Complementation occurs when a normal copy of a gene is introduced into a cell that harbors a defective copy of that gene. If several genes collaborate to support a certain function (for example, to form a structure), cell crossings (somatic cell hybridization) may be used to determine the number of genes involved. Two cells, upon crossing, typically complement each other's defect if their mutations are in different genes, whereas the defect persists if the mutations are in the same gene. Special mouse cell lines have been developed that harbor single human chromosomes, which can be introduced into a human cell line by microcell-mediated chromosome transfer. This technique allows for the identification of the chromosome that harbors a complementing gene. See also: Chromosome; Gene; Genetics; Mutation

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