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Mutations

Mutations

Mismatch Repair

Mismatch Repair

Organisms are capable of detecting and fixing nucleotide mismatches that occur during DNA replication. This sophisticated process requires identifying the new strand and replacing the erroneous bases with correct nucleotides. Mismatch repair is coordinated by many proteins in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
The Mutator Protein Family Plays a Key Role in DNA Mismatch Repair
The human genome has more than 3 billion base pairs of DNA per cell. Prior to cell division, that vast amount of genetic...

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...

Genome Copying Errors

Genome Copying Errors

DNA replication is a well-evolved process that copies millions of base pairs with high fidelity during each cell division. Occasionally a wrong base or a long stretch of wrong bases may get added to the daughter strands. If the errors are left unchecked, cells might accumulate several mutations that might endanger their survival. Therefore, the copying errors are checked and repaired at three levels.

Nucleotide Excision Repair

Nucleotide Excision Repair

DNA Distortion and Damage
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...

Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity

Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity

Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity refer to the ability of drugs to cause genetic defects and induce cancer, respectively. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies agents into four groups based on their carcinogenic potential. Group 1 agents are known human carcinogens; group 2A agents are probably carcinogenic to humans; group 3 agents lack data to support their role in carcinogenesis; and group 4 includes agents for which data support that they are not likely to be...

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Yeast As a Chassis for Developing Functional Assays to Study Human P53

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Published on: August 4, 2019

How mutations affect function.

Thomas Kuhlman¹

¹Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, United States.

|June 28, 2024

Summary

Naturally occurring mutations in SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid proteins alter their biophysical properties. This research sheds light on viral evolution and potential therapeutic targets.

Keywords:

SARS-CoV-2 biophysical fitness landscape genotype-phenotype relationship infectious disease intrinsically disordered protein microbiology molecular biophysics mutant spectrum protein evolution structural biology viruses

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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2025

Yeast As a Chassis for Developing Functional Assays to Study Human P53

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Area of Science:

Virology
Molecular Biology
Biophysics

Background:

The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein is crucial for viral RNA packaging and replication.
Naturally occurring mutations can influence viral fitness and pathogenesis.
Understanding these mutations' impact on N protein biophysics is key to comprehending viral behavior.

Discussion:

This study investigates the biophysical consequences of common mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 N protein.
Mutations were analyzed for their effects on protein stability, oligomerization, and RNA-binding affinity.
Results indicate significant alterations in N protein properties driven by specific genetic variations.

Key Insights:

Naturally occurring mutations demonstrably alter the biophysical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid proteins.
Specific mutations impact protein folding, dynamics, and interactions with viral RNA.
These biophysical changes have implications for viral assembly and infectivity.

Outlook:

Further research can explore how these altered biophysical properties affect viral transmission and immune evasion.
The findings may guide the development of novel antiviral strategies targeting N protein function.
Continued monitoring of N protein mutations is essential for understanding SARS-CoV-2 evolution.