gene mutation
noun
plural gene mutations
: a permanent alteration (as by point mutation or frameshift mutation) in the nucleotide sequence of a gene
Researchers have identified a gene mutation that's believed to predispose people to malignant melanoma, the deadliest and most aggressive type of skin cancer.—
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compare point mutation
Health NewsExamples of gene mutation in a Sentence
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Mice carrying either mutation slept less, and further studies revealed that the gene mutations increased nerve cell activity in the brain.
—Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2025
Currently, women who carry BRCA gene mutations are recommended to have their ovaries removed by their mid-thirties, resulting in early menopause.
—Victoria Forster, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024
In a set of patients who had gliomas — the most common type of malignant brain tumor — cancer-causing gene mutations linked to toxic exposures were more prevalent in firefighters than in individuals from other professions, according to the study, published on Monday in Cancer.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 10 Mar. 2025
While Brandy, 28, didn’t test positive for the BRCA gene mutation, it was revealed Cassidy, 27, had the gene.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gene mutation
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Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2025
Currently, women who carry BRCA gene mutations are recommended to have their ovaries removed by their mid-thirties, resulting in early menopause.
—Victoria Forster, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024
In a set of patients who had gliomas — the most common type of malignant brain tumor — cancer-causing gene mutations linked to toxic exposures were more prevalent in firefighters than in individuals from other professions, according to the study, published on Monday in Cancer.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 10 Mar. 2025
While Brandy, 28, didn’t test positive for the BRCA gene mutation, it was revealed Cassidy, 27, had the gene.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gene mutation
Cite this Entry
“Gene mutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene%20mutation. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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gene mutation
noun
: a permanent alteration (as a point mutation or frameshift mutation) in the nucleotide sequence of a gene
… there is a 50 percent chance each offspring will inherit the gene mutation and may develop the disease.—Fred Cicetti
Fred CicettiIn early August the team published a study in Nature that chronicled how a single gene mutation in a laboratory strain of Escherichia coli could create a bacterium resistant to triclosan …—Gary Stix
Gary StixLove words? Need even more definitions?
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