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autosomal dominant inheritance

(AW-toh-SOH-mul DAH-mih-nunt in-HAYR-ih-tunts)
One of the ways a genetic trait or a genetic condition can be inherited. In autosomal dominant inheritance, a genetic condition occurs when a variant is present in only one allele (copy) of a given gene.
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Drawing showing an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern between a father, mother, and their four children: a chromosome pair with a normal gene and a mutated gene in an affected father; two normal genes in an unaffected mother; a normal gene and a mutated gene in an affected daughter and in an affected son; and two normal genes in an unaffected daughter and in an unaffected son.Enlarge this image in new window
Autosomal dominant inheritance is a way a genetic trait or condition can be passed down from parent to child. One copy of a mutated (changed) gene from one parent can cause the genetic condition. A child who has a parent with the mutated gene has a 50% chance of inheriting that mutated gene. Men and women are equally likely to have these mutations and sons and daughters are equally likely to inherit them.
Search NCI's Dictionary of Genetics Terms