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Multigene Family MeSH Descriptor Data 2025


MeSH Heading
Multigene Family
Tree Number(s)
G05.360.340.024.340.645
Unique ID
D005810
RDF Unique Identifier
http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D005810
Scope Note
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)
Entry Term(s)
Gene Clusters
Genes, Reiterated
NLM Classification #
QU 470
Previous Indexing
Genes (1966-1970)
Genes, Bacterial (1982-1986)
Genes, Structural (1971-1986)
Genes, Viral (1978-1986)
See Also
Gene Duplication
Genes, Duplicate
Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
Public MeSH Note
97; was GENES, REITERATED 1987-96; MULTIGENE FAMILY was see GENES, REITERATED 1987-96
History Note
97; was GENES, REITERATED 1987-96; MULTIGENE FAMILY was see GENES, REITERATED 1987-96
Date Established
1987/01/01
Date of Entry
1986/06/19
Revision Date
2008/07/08
Multigene Family Preferred
Gene Clusters Narrower
Genes, Reiterated Narrower
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