1. GENE MUTATIONS

2. Introduction
Every normal cell carries a full complement of genetic material
A mutation can occur in:
a somatic (body) cell
a germinal (reproductive) cell – can be transmitted to offspring

3. Introduction Split this into codons!
Thesunwashotbuttheoldmandidnotgethishat.
It should look like this...
The sun was hot but the old man did not get his hat.
What if we added another T at the beginning?
T hes unw ash otb utt heo ldm and idn otg eth ish at.

4. Mutations...not all are bad!
mutations are random changes in genetic material
rare events
most mutations that are detectable are detrimental
some mutations provide variation, allowing for adaptation to the environment (can be favorable)
some mutations cannot be detected

5. Types of Mutations

6. Silent mutation:
does not result in a change in the amino acid sequence of the protein,
due to the redundancy of the genetic code
or a change in the code on the introns.
Eg: The A.A. Phe is coded for by UUU and UUC… if U gets swapped for C on the mRNA strand the mutation will have no effect. Phe will still be coded for!

7. Missense mutation:
a mutation that results in the single substitution of one amino acid in the protein.
E g. sickle cell anemia.
Only affects one base pair on the DNA or one codon of mRNA.
Can be called a base pair substitution in this case.

8. Sickle Cell Anaemia Sickle cell anemia Blood smear (normal)
Image Credit:
Blood smear (normal)
Image Credit:

10. Nonsense mutation:
a mutation that converts a codon for an amino acid into a stop codon (usually lethal to the cell).
Also called a chain termination mutation.
AAC – Codes for Asn but if changed to UAA it is now a stop codon
UGA, UAA and UAG are the stop codons!

11. Frame shift mutation: occurs when the reading frame is changed.
Base pair deletion (one is missing) or base pair insertion (one is added).
Changes the remainder of the code.

12. Point Mutation: The previous examples are point mutations.
They involve one base pair!

13. Chromosomal mutation:
shape change or missing piece of chromosome;
can result in inactivation of the entire gene

14. Translocation mutation:
occurs when groups of base pairs are relocated from one area of the genome to another,
usually between two nonhomologous chromosomes.
Results in a fusion protein (two unrelated gene sequences being transcribed together)

15. Inversion: AUG UUU UUG CCU UCC UUG UUU GUA
chromosomal segment reverses its orientation.
Gene control is affected.

16. Some examples!!! DNA mRNA Polypeptide Normal gene GGTCTCCTCACGCCA ↓
CCAGAGGAGUGCGGU
Codons
Pro-Glu-Glu-Cys-Gly
Amino acids

17. Mutations: Additions
Addition: TAG CAT GAG becomes TTA GCA TGA G

18. Mutations: Additions A frame shift mutation Normal gene
GGTCTCCTCACGCCA ↓
CCAGAGGAGUGCGGU
Codons
Pro-Glu-Glu-Cys-Gly
Amino acids
Addition mutation
GGTGCTCCTCACGCCA ↓
CCACGAGGAGUGCGGU
Pro-Arg-Gly-Val-Arg
© 2010 Paul Billiet ODWS

19. Mutations: Deletions
Deletion: TAG CAT GAG Becomes TGC ATG AG A

20. Mutations: Deletions A frame shift mutation Normal gene
GGTCTCCTCACGCCA ↓
CCAGAGGAGUGCGGU
Codons
Pro-Glu-Glu-Cys-Gly
Amino acids
Deletion mutation
GGTC/CCTCACGCCA ↓
CCAGGGAGUGCGGU
Pro-Gly-Ser-Ala-Val
© 2010 Paul Billiet ODWS

21. Mutations: Substitutions
Substitution: TAG CAT GAG Becomes TCG CAT GAG Similar Pro with one different A.A

22. Mutations: Substitutions
Normal gene
GGTCTCCTCACGCCA ↓
CCAGAGGAGUGCGGU
Codons
Pro-Glu-Glu-Cys-Gly
Amino acids
Substitution mutation
GGTCACCTCACGCCA ↓
CCAGUGGAGUGCGGU
Pro-Arg-Glu-Cys-Gly
Substitutions will only affect a single codon
Their effects may not be serious unless they affect an amino acid that is essential for the structure and function of the finished protein molecule (e.g. sickle cell anaemia)

23. The genetic code is degenerate
A mutation to have no effect on the phenotype
Changes in the third base of a codon often have no effect.
© 2010 Paul Billiet ODWS

24. No change Normal gene Substitution mutation GGTCTCCTCACGCCA↓
CCAGAGGAGUGCGGU
Codons
Pro-Glu-Glu-Cys-Gly
Amino acids
Substitution mutation
GGTCTTCTCACGCCA ↓
CCAGAAGAGUGCGGU
Pro-Glu-Glu-Cys-Gly
© 2010 Paul Billiet ODWS

25. Disaster Normal gene Substitution mutation GGTCTCCTCACGCCA↓
CCAGAGGAGUGCGGU
Codons
Pro-Glu-Glu-Cys-Gly
Amino acids
Substitution mutation
GGTCTCCTCACTCCA ↓
CCAGAAGAGUGAGGU
Pro-Glu-Glu-STOP
© 2010 Paul Billiet ODWS

26. What Causes Mutations? Spontaneous mutations Induced mutation
occur under normal conditions.
May involve mispairing during replication
Induced mutation
caused by mutagenic agents – chemical agent or radiation
Examples: (X-rays, formaldehyde, toluene, UV…)

27. Page 263...great summary chart
Do Q 1-4, 6
A great site for review!