Phenomena and Processes

Phase Variation

An adaptive mechanism used by microbes to avoid detection by the host or adapt to changes in environment by randomly and rapidly switch on and off of a gene by various mechanisms between on and off phases. For instance, drug tolerant MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS arises through rapid reversible mutations in the glpK gene through phase variation.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

An adaptive mechanism used by microbes to avoid detection by the host or adapt to changes in environment by randomly and rapidly switch on and off of a gene by various mechanisms between on and off phases. For instance, drug tolerant MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS arises through rapid reversible mutations in the glpK gene through phase variation.

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Classification

Broader headings

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

8 entry terms
  • Phase Variations
  • Variation, Phase
  • Phase-Variable Regulons
  • Phasevarions
  • Phase Variable Regulons
  • Phase-Variable Regulon
  • Phasevarion
  • Regulon, Phase-Variable

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

5 allowable subheadings

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

MeSH Record

History Note

2022

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. G05.365w.693w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Phase Variation. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D000090502. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D000090502
  2. Phase Variation. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase_variation
  3. Phase Variation. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7180971