point mutation
noun
: a gene mutation involving the substitution, addition, or deletion of a single nucleotide base
Examples of point mutation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This invention, known as base editing, is a further advancement of the Nobel Prize-winning Crispr technology and has the potential to cure thousands of rare diseases caused by point mutations.
—
Katie Jennings, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Sickle cell disease is caused by what’s called a point mutation—a change at a single spot on our DNA—that damages normal hemoglobin, the protein that helps blood carry oxygen through our body.
—Janice Blanchard, Scientific American, 18 Dec. 2023
But lower doses received over time create point mutations in one strand that are easier to repair.
—Monique Brouillette, Popular Mechanics, 28 Aug. 2023
The bacterial isolates' genomes had just one to three different point mutations among them; fewer than 20 suggest an epidemiological link.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2023
These large mutations are not negligible in cancer cell genomes: in some cancers, one out of every 10 million nucleotides undergoes a point mutation, but one of every three is involved in chromosomal rearrangements or increases in copy numbers, Beroukhim says.
—Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 26 Apr. 2022
It was caused by a point mutation.
—Sarah Stewart Johnson, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2020
Known as a single-point mutation, the phenomenon was understood first in connection with hemoglobin, so diseases involving this protein are often used as examples in introductory genetics courses.
—David Warmflash, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2016
Liu's team also tested their enzyme in human cells derived from patients with hereditary haemochromatosis, a point mutation disease that causes a dangerous build-up of iron in the body.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2017
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Katie Jennings, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Sickle cell disease is caused by what’s called a point mutation—a change at a single spot on our DNA—that damages normal hemoglobin, the protein that helps blood carry oxygen through our body.
—Janice Blanchard, Scientific American, 18 Dec. 2023
But lower doses received over time create point mutations in one strand that are easier to repair.
—Monique Brouillette, Popular Mechanics, 28 Aug. 2023
The bacterial isolates' genomes had just one to three different point mutations among them; fewer than 20 suggest an epidemiological link.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2023
These large mutations are not negligible in cancer cell genomes: in some cancers, one out of every 10 million nucleotides undergoes a point mutation, but one of every three is involved in chromosomal rearrangements or increases in copy numbers, Beroukhim says.
—Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 26 Apr. 2022
It was caused by a point mutation.
—Sarah Stewart Johnson, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2020
Known as a single-point mutation, the phenomenon was understood first in connection with hemoglobin, so diseases involving this protein are often used as examples in introductory genetics courses.
—David Warmflash, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2016
Liu's team also tested their enzyme in human cells derived from patients with hereditary haemochromatosis, a point mutation disease that causes a dangerous build-up of iron in the body.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Point mutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/point%20mutation. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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