Which mutation type could exacerbate the effects of a normal gene product?

Which mutation type could exacerbate the effects of a normal gene product?

• A. Gain-of-function mutation
• B. Dominant-negative mutation
• C. Loss-of-function mutation
• D. Neutral mutation

Answer: (B)

A dominant-negative mutation is a type of mutation that results in an altered gene product which can interfere with the normal function of the wild-type protein produced by the non-mutated allele. This interference occurs because the mutated protein can still bind to the same targets or form complexes with the normal proteins but does not perform the necessary functions. As a consequence, the dominant-negative effect can lead to a more severe phenotype than that caused by a simple loss-of-function mutation where the normal function is entirely absent. Essentially, the presence of the mutant protein diminishes the effectiveness of the wild-type protein, exacerbating the overall impact on the organism. In contrast, a gain-of-function mutation enhances the activity of a gene product or leads to new functions but does not typically impede the normal gene's function. A loss-of-function mutation results in the gene product having reduced or abolished function, but it doesn’t necessarily interfere with the function of the normal protein produced by the other copy of the gene. Neutral mutations neither benefit nor harm the organism and do not affect the gene product's function or interactions. Therefore, a dominant-negative mutation specifically stands out as the option that can negatively influence the normal gene's product, leading to exacerbated effects.

A dominant-negative mutation is a type of mutation that results in an altered gene product which can interfere with the normal function of the wild-type protein produced by the non-mutated allele. This interference occurs because the mutated protein can still bind to the same targets or form complexes with the normal proteins but does not perform the necessary functions. As a consequence, the dominant-negative effect can lead to a more severe phenotype than that caused by a simple loss-of-function mutation where the normal function is entirely absent. Essentially, the presence of the mutant protein diminishes the effectiveness of the wild-type protein, exacerbating the overall impact on the organism.

In contrast, a gain-of-function mutation enhances the activity of a gene product or leads to new functions but does not typically impede the normal gene's function. A loss-of-function mutation results in the gene product having reduced or abolished function, but it doesn’t necessarily interfere with the function of the normal protein produced by the other copy of the gene. Neutral mutations neither benefit nor harm the organism and do not affect the gene product's function or interactions. Therefore, a dominant-negative mutation specifically stands out as the option that can negatively influence the normal gene's product, leading to exacerbated effects.