Which of the following changes in an exon is most likely to result in a nonfunctional protein

Types of Mutations

Duchenne is caused by mutations (changes) within the dystrophin gene. A gene is made up of coding regions called exons, and the areas in between exons are called introns. Dystrophin has 79 exons, which makes it one of the largest genes in the body.

Making the dystrophin protein from the gene involves several steps. One of the first steps is removing the introns and fitting the exons together, 1-79, like puzzle pieces.

If there is a missing piece within the dystrophin gene (deletion) or an extra piece (duplication), your body can have difficulty making dystrophin.

What are the most common mutations in the dystrophin gene?

Since the dystrophin gene is one of the largest genes in our body, it can frequently acquire mutations (changes). Thousands of different mutations have been reported in the dystrophin gene. It is important to remember that everyone carries mutations in some of our genes, although we usually do not know it because the mutations do not affect us in any noticeable way.

This table shows the different types of mutations that can happen in the dystrophin gene, and how common the different mutations occur in people with Duchenne and Becker.

As the table shows, most cases of Duchenne and Becker are caused by large deletions. Continue reading for a brief explanation of each type of mutation:

• Deletions occur when pieces of the gene (called exons) are missing. Deletions of one or more exons are the most common type of mutation. Since there are a total of 79 exons in the dystrophin gene, there are many different deletions that can occur. However, there are certain areas of the gene that are more likely to have a deletion, and these areas are called “hot spots”. Exons 44-55 are a hot spot region for deletions. If you know your/your child’s genetic change (mutation) is an exon deletion, our educational Exon Deletion Tool can help you understand if you/your child may be a candidate for an exon skipping therapy.
• Duplications occur when one or more exons within the gene are doubled. Duplications are not as common as deletions. Like deletions, duplications can occur throughout all 79 exons of the dystrophin gene.
• Point mutations are smaller changes in the gene that do not involve an entire exon. Sometimes just one letter in the DNA code is missing (deleted), doubled (duplicated), or changed. One of the most common point mutations is called a nonsense mutation. Nonsense mutations cause a premature stop in the gene which results in little or no dystrophin protein production.

What is the difference between in-frame vs out-of-frame errors?

If you or your child have a deletion mutation, you have probably heard the terms in-frame and out-of-frame. Sometimes this is referred to as the reading frame rule.

In-Frame

A deletion is in-frame if the reading frame of the gene is preserved and not disrupted, so some dystrophin protein can be made. The protein may be shorter than normal, but it is still functional. In-frame deletions typically result in Becker muscular dystrophy, which usually has a more mild presentation (compared to Duchenne) because there is some dystrophin protein present in the cells.

Out-of-Frame

A deletion is out-of-frame if the reading frame is completely disrupted, so that no dystrophin protein can be made. Out-of-frame deletions typically result in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which usually has a more severe presentation (compared to Becker) because there is no dystrophin protein present in the cells.

It is important to remember that this reading frame rule is not always perfect. There are some out-of-frame deletions that cause Becker, and some in-frame deletions that cause Duchenne. Sometimes a child’s diagnosis will be “intermediate or unclear” until the child grows older and their progression can be observed. Please speak with your doctor or genetic counselor if you have questions.

Can you predict progression based on mutation?

Duchenne progresses differently for every person, thus every person living with Duchenne will display their own symptoms despite their genetic mutation. Even siblings with the same mutation may have a very different progression of symptoms. The progression of symptoms through this disease are on a spectrum, from late onset/very mild symptoms to early onset/severe symptoms.

Genotype vs. Phenotype

Genotype is a person’s genetic makeup. In Duchenne, it is the genetic mutation that affects the production of dystrophin. Phenotype is how the body chooses to express a specific genotype. In Duchenne, it is the symptoms of how the body is progressing through this diagnosis. It is possible to have a genotype most often associated with Becker, but to have a phenotype more typical of Duchenne, and vice versa.

How do you determine what mutation you have?

Genetic testing is now the gold standard for the diagnosis of Duchenne and Becker. Genetic testing will determine what type of mutation is present, as well as the specific details of the mutation. Genetic testing can also predict if someone is more likely to have Duchenne or Becker. However, as stated previously, predictions of severity based on the mutation are not perfect and a person’s symptoms and disease progression must also be considered. Therefore, families must consult with their doctor for their final diagnosis. Sometimes there are individuals who are intermediate because their features fall in between Duchenne and Becker.

PPMD is able to provide free genetic testing to help eligible individuals determine their mutation through our Decode Duchenne genetic testing program. The application and testing process is fast and easy. Learn more about PPMD’s free genetic testing program.

Why is it so important to know your mutation?

There are three reasons why it is imperative to know your genetic mutation:

1. To confirm your diagnosis: Genetic testing will confirm if you have Duchenne or Becker, or if you may have another type of muscular dystrophy that shares some of the same features as Duchenne or Becker.
2. To enable testing of family members: Once the mutation in a family is known, then other family members can be tested to determine if they are carriers of the gene mutation. Genetic testing is the best method for performing accurate carrier testing.
3. To determine what mutation-specific therapies may benefit you: Many therapies in development and/or approved for Duchenne are mutation-specific, meaning they will only benefit individuals with certain mutations. You must know your mutation in order to participate in a clinical trial and to access any current or future mutation-specific therapies.

Which of the following changes in an exon is most likely to result in a nonfunctional protein product group of answer choices?

Which of the following mutations is most likely to result in a non functional protein?

Which type of mutation most likely results in a completely nonfunctional protein quizlet?

Which of the following mutations would most severely affect the protein coded for by a gene?