Question

Is a deletion a missense mutation?

Answer 1

Deletion:

1. Deletion is the error in the DNA replication process where a nucleotide sequence is deleted in the new strand while coping from the template strand.
2. Hence, deletion is a change in the number and sequence of DNA (nucleotide bases).
3. Whereas missense mutation is the result of a change in a single nucleotide which leads to a change in the codon (triplet nucleotide) of the sequence.
4. This leads to a change in the amino acid sequence of the protein.
5. Examples of deletion mutation are 5p-Deletion (cri du chat syndrome), 4p-Deletion (Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome), Prader–Willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome, and two-thirds of cystic fibrosis is also caused by deletion syndrome.
6. An example of missense mutation is sickle cell anemia which is caused due to the change in the single nucleotide base which leads to the replacement of glutamine with valine leading to sickle-shaped red blood cells.