The main difference between a frameshift mutation and a base substitution mutation lies in the nature of the changes they cause in the DNA sequence. Here is a comparison of the two types of mutations:
Frameshift Mutation:
- Occurs when there is an insertion or deletion of one or more nucleotide bases in the DNA sequence.
- Causes a shift in the reading frame of the gene, resulting in the expression of incorrect proteins.
- Can lead to changes in mRNA and eventually affect the final gene product.
Base Substitution Mutation:
- Involves the exchange of one base for another in the DNA sequence.
- Can be classified into different types, such as transition (purine for purine or pyrimidine for pyrimidine) and transversion (purine for pyrimidine or vice versa).
- May cause a change in one amino acid in the protein (missense mutation), no change in the protein (silent mutation), or the introduction of a stop codon, leading to an incomplete protein (nonsense mutation).
In summary, frameshift mutations result from insertions or deletions of nucleotide bases, causing a shift in the reading frame, while base substitution mutations involve the exchange of one base for another, potentially leading to changes in the protein sequence.
Comparative Table: Frameshift Mutation vs Base Substitution Mutation
Here is a table comparing the differences between frameshift mutations and base substitution mutations:
| Feature | Frameshift Mutation | Base Substitution Mutation |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Mutation | Insertions or deletions of nucleotides | Exchange of one base for another |
| Effect on Reading Frame | Changes the reading frame of the gene | Does not change the reading frame of the gene |
| Effect on Protein Expression | Results in the expression of incorrect proteins | May or may not result in incorrect proteins, can be silent, missense, or nonsense mutation |
| Caused by | Insertions or deletions of nucleotides that are not a multiple of three | Exchange of one base pair |
| Consequence | Every amino acid after the point of the mutation is affected, often resulting in nonfunctional proteins | Consequences depend on the specific base substitution, may have no effect or result in a change in one amino acid, Stop codon, or no effect |
Read more
- Frameshift Mutation vs Base Substitution Mutation
- Frameshift Mutation vs Point Mutation
- Substitution Insertion vs Deletion Mutations
- Mutation Rate vs Substitution Rate
- Gene Mutation vs Chromosome Mutation
- Mutation vs Mutagen
- Point Mutation vs Chromosomal Mutation
- Point Mutations vs Indels
- Synonymous vs Nonsynonymous Mutation
- DNA Damage vs Mutation
- Base Excision Repair vs Nucleotide Excision Repair
- SNP vs Mutation
- Missense vs Nonsense Mutation
- Mutation vs Recombination
- Transition vs Transversion
- Forward vs Reverse Mutation
- Germline Mutation vs Somatic Mutation
- Base Sequence vs Amino Acid Sequence
- Mutation vs Polymorphism
- Nucleotide vs Base