A single nucleotide deletion during DNA replication?

Sourav PanDecember 6, 2024

Answered

A single nucleotide deletion during DNA replication can lead to a frameshift mutation, which occurs when the reading frame of the gene is altered due to the loss of a base pair. During DNA replication, if a nucleotide is skipped or omitted, the ribosomes translating the mRNA may misread the genetic code downstream of the mutation, resulting in a completely different and often nonfunctional protein. These mutations can have a range of effects depending on where in the gene they occur, from minor alterations in protein function to complete loss of function, and in some cases, diseases like cystic fibrosis or Tay-Sachs disease may result from such mutations.