Frameshift mutation

Frameshift mutation is a type of mutation that involves the insertion or deletion of a number of nucleotides in a DNA sequence that is not divisible by three.

Pronunciation

• Frame-shift mu-ta-tion

Etymology

The term "frameshift mutation" is derived from the concept of the reading frame in molecular biology. A "shift" in this frame can lead to vastly different proteins being produced, hence the term "frameshift mutation".

Definition

A frameshift mutation is a genetic mutation caused by indels (insertions or deletions) of a number of nucleotides in a DNA sequence that is not divisible by three. Due to the triplet nature of gene expression by codons, the insertion or deletion can change the reading frame (the grouping of the codons), resulting in a completely different translation from the original. The earlier in the sequence the deletion or insertion occurs, the more altered the protein produced is.

Related Terms

• Mutation
• Nucleotides
• DNA
• Codons
• Protein
• Gene expression
• Molecular biology

See Also

• Point mutation
• Missense mutation
• Nonsense mutation
• Silent mutation

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Frameshift mutation
• Wikipedia's article - Frameshift mutation

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