NONSENSE MUTATIONS Meaning and
Definition
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Nonsense mutations, also commonly referred to as stop codon mutations or premature termination codon mutations, are genetic alterations that result in the production of a truncated or nonfunctional protein. In the context of genetics, a mutation refers to a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence. Nonsense mutations specifically involve changes in the DNA sequence that lead to the formation of a premature stop codon, which is a signal for the termination of protein synthesis during translation.
Generally, the DNA code is read in groups of three nucleotides called codons, and each codon specifies a particular amino acid that makes up a protein. However, in cases where a nonsense mutation occurs, an incorrect amino acid sequence is produced due to the premature termination of protein synthesis.
As a consequence, the resulting protein may be missing essential regions or structural domains, rendering it nonfunctional or unstable. In some situations, nonsense mutations can lead to the complete absence of the protein.
Nonsense mutations can be inherited or acquired through mutations that occur during an individual's lifetime. These mutations can have significant impacts on an organism's phenotype and may be associated with various genetic disorders. Researchers and medical professionals study nonsense mutations to understand their underlying mechanisms, develop potential therapies, and explore strategies for genetic intervention to correct or mitigate their effects.
Common Misspellings for NONSENSE MUTATIONS
- bonsense mutations
- monsense mutations
- jonsense mutations
- honsense mutations
- ninsense mutations
- nknsense mutations
- nlnsense mutations
- npnsense mutations
- n0nsense mutations
- n9nsense mutations
- nobsense mutations
- nomsense mutations
- nojsense mutations
- nohsense mutations
- nonaense mutations
- nonzense mutations
- nonxense mutations
- nondense mutations
- noneense mutations
- nonwense mutations
Etymology of NONSENSE MUTATIONS
The term "nonsense mutation" is a combination of two words: "nonsense" and "mutation".
1. Nonsense: The word "nonsense" originated from the Latin term "nōn sēnsus", which translates to "absence of meaning" or "lack of sense". It is composed of two parts: "nōn" meaning "not" or "without", and "sēnsus" meaning "sense" or "meaning". Over time, "nonsense" came to represent meaningless or absurd language or behavior.
2. Mutation: The word "mutation" comes from the Latin term "mūtātiō", which means "change" or "alteration". It is derived from the verb "mutare", which means "to change" or "to exchange".
