Which mutation most likely abolishes protein function?
Which mutation in a protein-coding gene is most likely to completely abolish the protein's function?
Answer A: explanation for every choice
A
Correct. A frameshift near the start scrambles nearly every downstream codon and usually creates an early stop codon.
B
Deleting three nucleotides removes one amino acid and keeps the reading frame, and near the end it may have little effect.
C
A synonymous (silent) substitution doesn't change the amino acid.
D
A similar amino acid in a flexible surface region is usually well tolerated.
TakeawayFrameshifts near the start of a gene are the most damaging.
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Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID bb127.