NONSENSE MUTATION Meaning and
Definition
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Nonsense mutation is a term used in molecular genetics to describe a type of genetic mutation that leads to the creation of a premature stop codon in the coding sequence of a gene. These mutations result in the production of a truncated and usually nonfunctional protein product.
In the field of genetics, the genetic code is a set of rules that determines how the sequence of nucleotides in DNA is translated into the amino acid sequence of a protein. There are specific codons, known as stop codons, that signal the end of protein synthesis. However, in the case of a nonsense mutation, a normal codon that usually codes for an amino acid is changed into a stop codon.
When a nonsense mutation occurs, the protein being synthesized is prematurely terminated, leading to the production of a truncated protein. Since a significant portion of the protein sequence is missing, the resulting protein is often nonfunctional. This can have severe consequences, particularly if the affected gene encodes an essential protein.
Nonsense mutations can be classified as a type of point mutation, which are single-base changes in the DNA sequence. These mutations can arise spontaneously, or they can be caused by exposure to certain mutagenic agents. Nonsense mutations can lead to various genetic disorders and diseases, including inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis and certain forms of muscular dystrophy.
Understanding the impact of nonsense mutations is crucial for studying genetic diseases and developing potential treatments. Experimental techniques, such as gene editing and gene therapy, are being explored to correct or bypass these mutations and restore normal protein function in affected individuals.
Common Misspellings for NONSENSE MUTATION
- bonsense mutation
- monsense mutation
- jonsense mutation
- honsense mutation
- ninsense mutation
- nknsense mutation
- nlnsense mutation
- npnsense mutation
- n0nsense mutation
- n9nsense mutation
- nobsense mutation
- nomsense mutation
- nojsense mutation
- nohsense mutation
- nonaense mutation
- nonzense mutation
- nonxense mutation
- nondense mutation
- noneense mutation
- nonwense mutation
Etymology of NONSENSE MUTATION
The etymology of the word "nonsense mutation" can be traced back to the individual terms "nonsense" and "mutation":
1. Nonsense: The word "nonsense" originated from the Latin term "non" meaning "not" and "sensus" meaning "meaning" or "sense". It entered the English language in the 17th century, referring to language lacking meaning, absurdity, or irrationality.
2. Mutation: The word "mutation" comes from the Latin term "mutare" meaning "to change" or "alter". In the field of genetics and biology, "mutation" refers to a permanent change in the DNA sequence of an organism, resulting in a variation from the normal or wild-type state.
When combining these two terms, "nonsense mutation" refers to a specific type of genetic mutation that leads to the formation of a premature stop codon in the DNA sequence.
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