03/03/2026
What Is a Functional vs Nonfunctional Allele? 🤔
An allele is a version of a gene. Each person inherits one allele from each parent, giving them two copies of most pharmacogenes.
These genes encode enzymes that help metabolize medications. If an allele changes how that enzyme is built, it can alter how well the medication is processed.
Some alleles produce a fully active enzyme (funcional).
Some produce an enzyme with reduced activity (reduced funcion)
Some produce little to no functional enzyme at all (nonfuncional).
When both copies of a gene are considered together, they determine how efficiently a medication may be metabolized and ultimately determine metabolizer status.
At Advanced Genetics Laboratory (AGL) and PGx Analysis, allele function is interpreted using established functional data to ensure accurate phenotype prediction and meaningful clinical guidance- Because small genetic differences can translate into very different medication responses.
Learn more at 🌐 www.advancedgeneticslab.com