Cis trans test
(Science: molecular biology) The complementation test with two or more interacting genes placed in cis and in trans relationships to each other. A double mutant genome is used in the cis test made from the two single mutant genomes used in the trans test by recombination.
If the wild type phenotype is restored by both cis and trans arrangements it is concluded that the two mutations are in different genes and hence that the phenotype is determined by more than one gene. If the trans test is negative and the cis positive this means that the two mutations are in the same gene. If both tests are negative then at least one of the mutations must be dominant. Thus the double test provides a means of fine mapping of genes.
a lab test which is used to determine whether two mutations of different genes which affect the same phenotype are on the same functional unit (indicating a cis configuration of the mutated genes) or on different functional units (indicating a trans configuration of the mutated genes). (a functional unit can be a chromosome.)
The test is done by mating an individual that has one of the mutations to an individual that has the other one, and observing whether their offspring have the mutant phenotype. If the offspring do not have the mutant phenotype, then the genes are known to be trans, because the offspring have normal copies of each mutant gene on the different functional units which are able to genetically complement each other. If the offspring do have the mutant phenotype, then the genes are known to be cis, because the offspring will always inherit at least one of the mutant genes on the one functional unit, resulting in the mutant phenotype.
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