Bio 309F. Chapter 11 Mutations: The Source of Genetic Variation

1. Mutations affect protein structure and function

A. Daughter with two mutations in beta hemaglobin chain (amino acid #6 leucine to valine and aminoacid #68 leucine to phenylalanine. RBC sickle and severe hemolytic anemia

B. Daughter inherited normal allele from mother and #6 mutant allele from father + #68 mutant occurred in sperm since father did not have this mutation

2. Introduction to mutations

A. Definition: Heritable change

B. Types: 1. Chromosomal, 2. DNA sequence alterations

C. Detection: 1. Dominant mutations, 2. Recessive mutations

D. Mutation rates for specific genes--measurement

3. Mutagens

A. Radiation--H.J. Muller

1. Chromosomal breaks (deletions, translocations, inversions)

2. Sources: Radon = 55%; Medical = 11%, Cosmic = 8% (360 mrem/yr)

B. Chemicals: Proflavin--Dye, Nitrous acid, . 5-Bromouracil

4. Tests for chemical mutagens

A. Bacteria: Ames “his” test

B. Fungi

C. Plants

D. Insects

E. Somatic cells in culture

F. Animals (mice and chickens)

5. Effects of mutations

A. Variation

B. Polymorphisms

C. Beneficial/Harmful

6. Examples of mutations

A. missense - CTC--->CAC (glutamic acid---->valine) (sickle cell anemia)

B. nonsense - AAA--->UAA termination codon

C. sense - UAA---> AAA--removal of termination codon

D. frameshift

Insertion: CAT CAT CAT GCA T

Deletion: CAT CAT CAC AT

E. trinucleotide repeats

1. Fragile X syndrome CGC--230 repeats

2. Myotonic Dystrophy CTG--50 to 2,000 repeats

3. Huntington Disease CAG--42 to 100 repeats

7. Example of chemical mutagen

A. 5-Bromouracil A:T----->A-5-Br ----> A:T G-5-BR

B. Benzo[a]pyrene and metabolites

C. Aflatoxin B--fungi on peanuts and other foods

8. DNA Repair Genes: Example

1. UV damage--thymine dimers (excision repair)

2. Xeroderma Pigmentosum--thymidine dimer defect

3, Bloom Syndrome--DNA ligase defect

C. Reversible alterations to the genome: Genomic imprinting

D. Teratogens

1. Thalidomide, 2. Viruses--Measles, herpes virus II,

3. Folic acid deficiency--neural tube defects, 4. High levels of vitamin A-lysis of red blood cells, 5. Fetal alcohol syndrome