Phenomena and Processes

Multigene Family

A set of genes descended by duplication and variation from some ancestral gene. Such genes may be clustered together on the same chromosome or dispersed on different chromosomes. Examples of multigene families include those that encode the hemoglobins, immunoglobulins, histocompatibility antigens, actins, tubulins, keratins, collagens, heat shock proteins, salivary glue proteins, chorion proteins, cuticle proteins, yolk proteins, and phaseolins, as well as histones, ribosomal RNA, and transfer RNA genes. The latter three are examples of reiterated genes, where hundreds of identical genes are present in a tandem array. (King & Stanfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A set of genes descended by duplication and variation from some ancestral gene. Such genes may be clustered together on the same chromosome or dispersed on different chromosomes. Examples of multigene families include those that encode the hemoglobins, immunoglobulins, histocompatibility antigens, actins, tubulins, keratins, collagens, heat shock proteins, salivary glue proteins, chorion proteins, cuticle proteins, yolk proteins, and phaseolins, as well as histones, ribosomal RNA, and transfer RNA genes. The latter three are examples of reiterated genes, where hundreds of identical genes are present in a tandem array. (King & Stanfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)

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Synonyms

11 entry terms
  • Families, Multigene
  • Family, Multigene
  • Multigene Families
  • Gene Clusters
  • Genes, Reiterated
  • Cluster, Gene
  • Clusters, Gene
  • Gene Cluster
  • Gene, Reiterated
  • Reiterated Gene
  • Reiterated Genes

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Aspects Covered

6 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings drug effects, ethics, genetics, immunology, physiology, radiation effects.

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History Note

97; was GENES, REITERATED 1987-96; MULTIGENE FAMILY was see GENES, REITERATED 1987-96

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Previous Indexing

  • Genes (1966-1970)
  • Genes, Bacterial (1982-1986)
  • Genes, Structural (1971-1986)
  • Genes, Viral (1978-1986)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. G05.360w.340w.024.340w.645

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QU 470

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Multigene Family. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D005810. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D005810
  2. Multigene Family. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q71148070