frameshift

American  

[freym-shift] / ˈfreɪmˌʃɪft /

noun

Genetics.

1. the addition or deletion of one or more nucleotides in a strand of DNA, which shifts the codon triplets of the genetic code of messenger RNA and causes a misreading during translation, resulting in an aberrant protein and therefore a mutation.

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frameshift Scientific  

/ frām′shĭft′ /

1. Relating to a mutation that occurs when one or two nucleotides are added or deleted, with the result that every codon beyond the point of insertion or deletion is read incorrectly during translation.

2. See more at point mutation

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Etymology

Origin of frameshift

frame + shift

Compare meaning

How does frameshift compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• point mutation vs. frameshift

Example Sentences

They designed mRNAs that would prompt cells in a dish to produce a fluorescent protein only if a ribosome “slips” and starts to read the three-letter codons incorrectly, a mistake known as a frameshift.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 6, 2023

The ribosome occasionally skips forward by a letter or place, called a frameshift, to read: "The cat a tet hef atr."

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2023

It happened to have a type of mutation, known as a frameshift mutation, that was rare in coronavirus samples.

From Seattle Times • May 4, 2022

Insertions and deletions are also called frameshift mutations because they shift the “reading frame” of the genetic message.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2018

In contrast to the single modality of DM, RH exhibits clear bi-modality caused by heterozygosity. c, Genomic distribution of premature stop, frameshift and presence/absence variation mutations contributing to inbreeding depression.

From Nature • Jul. 13, 2011