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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.—Health News
compare point mutation
Examples of gene mutation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Specifically, sobriety, exercise, and her recent preventative mastectomy after a test revealed a gene mutation called RAD51D, which raised her chances for breast cancer from 20 to 40 percent.
—Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2024
Related article How a gene test could be the first step toward precision medicine for obesity
Women with the gene mutation weighed an extra 4.6 kilograms (10.14 pounds), and men with the variant weighed an extra 2.4 kilograms (5.29 pounds), according to the study.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 20 June 2024
Stansted Airport denied that Swift’s jet is there. 5
A rare gene mutation helps people resist Alzheimer’s disease.
—Jamie Ross, Washington Post, 20 June 2024
Uterine fibroids can be hereditary, with gene mutations MED12, HMGA1, and HMGA2 causing many cases.
—Rachel Murphy, Verywell Health, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for gene mutation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gene mutation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1904, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near gene mutation
Cite this Entry
“Gene mutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene%20mutation. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Kids Definition
gene mutation
noun
: mutation due to a chemical change in a gene
Medical Definition
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
In 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
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