Question

1. What is the most likely type of mutation to cause an amorphic allele in a protein-coding gene that alters the protein’s structure? Clearly explain your reasoning. (For this question, assume that X = 3, that the frameshift is caused by a single nucleotide deletion, and that the given mutation would occur at the same location in the gene.)

Answer 1

Amorphic allele formed by mutation produces no RNA or protein product. The amorphic allele mutation can be formed by deletion or addition of a nucleotide which causes the whole reading frame to change and hence causes the frame shift mutation. For example, the O allele of the ABO blood grouping is caused due to a deletion of a single nucleotide which manifests in the deletion of the protein that is present in the A antigen and hence O allele is formed. This is a classic example of a morphic allele.

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