How can genomic imprinting affect gene expression in mammalian embryos? How can genomic imprinting affect gene expression in mammalian embryos? Lower expression of the maternal allele of a gene relative to the paternal allele may occur if a maternal allele carries less silencing marks (e. g. methylation) than the paternal allele. Higher expression of the maternal allele of a gene relative to the paternal allele may occur if a paternal allele carries more silencing marks (e. g. methylation) than the maternal allele. Higher expression of the maternal allele of a gene relative to the paternal allele may occur if a paternal allele carries less silencing marks (e. g. methylation) than the maternal allele. Lower expression of the maternal allele of a gene relative to the paternal allele may occur if a paternal allele carries more silencing marks (e. g. methylation) than the maternal allele. Request Answer