Frameshift mutation
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A frameshift mutation (also called a frameshift or a framing error) is a genetic mutation that inserts or deletes a number of nucleotides that is not evenly divisible by three from a DNA sequence. Due to the triplet nature of gene expression by codons, the insertion or deletion can disrupt the reading frame, or the grouping of the codons, resulting in a completely different translation from the original. The earlier in the gene the deletion or insertion occurs, the more altered the gene product is.
A frameshift mutation causes the reading of codons to be different, so, therefore, the stop codon "UAA, UGA, or UAG" will not be read. The protein being created could become abnormally long and not be functional.
Frameshift mutations frequently result in severe genetic diseases. A frameshift mutation is responsible for the disabling of the CCR5 HIV receptor and some types of familial hypercholesterolemia (Lewis, 2005, p. 227-228).
Reference
Lewis R. 2005. Human Genetics: Concepts and Applications, 6th Ed. McGraw Hill, New York.