What is the effect on the genome when transposons insert into a gene region?

What is the effect on the genome when transposons insert into a gene region?

• A. Gene Amplification
• B. No Effect
• C. Mutation
• D. Chromosomal Translocation

Answer: (C)

Transposons inserting into a gene region usually create a mutation. When they land inside a coding sequence, they can disrupt the reading frame or introduce a premature stop, producing a nonfunctional or altered protein. If they insert into regulatory regions, they can change how much of the gene is expressed. In either case, the normal gene function is changed, which is the definition of a mutation. This differs from gene amplification (increasing copy number), which isn’t about insertion disruption, or from a chromosomal translocation (rearrangement between chromosomes). A neutral insertion with no effect is possible but less common than a disruptive mutation.

Transposons inserting into a gene region usually create a mutation. When they land inside a coding sequence, they can disrupt the reading frame or introduce a premature stop, producing a nonfunctional or altered protein. If they insert into regulatory regions, they can change how much of the gene is expressed. In either case, the normal gene function is changed, which is the definition of a mutation. This differs from gene amplification (increasing copy number), which isn’t about insertion disruption, or from a chromosomal translocation (rearrangement between chromosomes). A neutral insertion with no effect is possible but less common than a disruptive mutation.