gene mutation
noun
plural gene mutations
: a permanent alteration (as by point mutation or frameshift mutation) in the nucleotide sequence of a gene
Researchers have identified a gene mutation that's believed to predispose people to malignant melanoma, the deadliest and most aggressive type of skin cancer.—
Health News
compare point mutation
Health NewsExamples of gene mutation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hamilton noted that people who don't have the BRCA gene mutations (which increase the risk of ovarian and breast cancer) should still be proactive about screening.
—Sarah Scott, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2024
Women in the general population have around a 2% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer, but in people carrying BRCA gene mutations, lifetime risk is up to 45%.
—Victoria Forster, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024
In Maria, the 49-year-old actress returns to portray opera icon Maria Callas, which marks Jolie’s first major film appearance following her decision to undergo a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and breast reconstruction in 2013 due to her BRCA1 gene mutation and elevated risk of breast cancer.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 5 Sep. 2024
Some gene mutations may increase the risk of NSCLC.
Mutations in the following genes may increase your risk of NSCLC:
CHEK2
ATM
TP53
BRCA1
EGFR
APC
PALB2
Smoking increases the odds of a gene mutation leading to lung cancer.
—Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gene mutation 
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Sarah Scott, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2024
Women in the general population have around a 2% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer, but in people carrying BRCA gene mutations, lifetime risk is up to 45%.
—Victoria Forster, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024
In Maria, the 49-year-old actress returns to portray opera icon Maria Callas, which marks Jolie’s first major film appearance following her decision to undergo a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and breast reconstruction in 2013 due to her BRCA1 gene mutation and elevated risk of breast cancer.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 5 Sep. 2024
Some gene mutations may increase the risk of NSCLC.
Mutations in the following genes may increase your risk of NSCLC:
CHEK2
ATM
TP53
BRCA1
EGFR
APC
PALB2
Smoking increases the odds of a gene mutation leading to lung cancer.
—Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gene mutation
Dictionary Entries Near gene mutation
Cite this Entry
“Gene mutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene%20mutation. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
gene mutation
noun
: a permanent alteration (as a point mutation or frameshift mutation) in the nucleotide sequence of a gene
… there is a 50 percent chance each offspring will inherit the gene mutation and may develop the disease.—Fred Cicetti
Fred CicettiIn early August the team published a study in Nature that chronicled how a single gene mutation in a laboratory strain of Escherichia coli could create a bacterium resistant to triclosan …—Gary Stix
Gary StixLove words? Need even more definitions?
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