missense

adjective

mis·​sense ˈmis-ˌsen(t)s 

: relating to or being a gene mutation involving alteration of one or more codons so that different amino acids are determined compare antisense, nonsense

Examples of missense in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Especially striking was the complete absence of the APOL1 missense mutations in Ethiopia. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 22 July 2010

A missense mutation, for example, swaps one amino acid in the protein for another. —Nicholette Zeliadt, Washington Post, 30 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

mis- + -sense (as in nonsense)

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

missense

1 of 2 adjective

mis·​sense ˈmis-ˌsen(t)s 

: relating to or being a gene mutation involving alteration of one or more codons so that different amino acids are determined

missense mutations

a missense suppressor

compare antisense, nonsense

missense

2 of 2 noun

: missense genetic mutation compare nonsense