Genetics Flashcards
(150 cards)
Frameshift mutation
what is it? give example of condition
Insertion or deletion which alters the reading frame, which may lead to an entirely different protein or stop codon (ie. mutation is NOT in multiples of three)
= Most detrimental type of mutation eg. DMD
DNA structure
Sugar-phosphate backbone (5’ end and 3’ end) with nitrogenous bases
2 strands (1 end 5’ to 3’ and complementary end is 3’ and 5”)
- > C paired with G, 3 H bonds ie harder to break and harder to sequence
- > A paired with T, 2 H bonds ie easier to break
Coiled tightly into chromosomes
What is a codon
3 bases which codes for one amino acid via genetic code
how mRNA is read -> in blocks of 3 called codons
there are 64 different codon combinations (61 code for aa, 3 are stop codons)
The amino acids that result from reading of the code is dependent on the ‘reading frame’ (depends which base the reading frame starts from/where the polymerase starts from)
DNA polymerase
Adds new nucleotides ot growing DNA single strand chain
Point mutation
Substitution of one base pair by another
Alters the codon so that it changes from one aa to another (and thus causes different protein product) or may produce a stop codon where no protein product may be produced
Missence mutation
Type of point mutation where single aa mutation results in production of different protein product

Nonsense mutation
Type of point mutation
Change from one aa to another results in production of a stop codon and no protein product

Splice site mutation
ABnormal splicing of introns and exons altering the mRNA
Mechanisms
- Excision of exon
- Inclusion of intron

Expanded repeats
give examples
An increase in the normal tandem repeat (some genes are coded by triplet repeats where the gene sequence is made of a repetitive pattern of the same 3 base-pairs)
ex
- fragile x syndrome
- myotonic dystrophy
- freidrichs ataxia
- spinal muscular atrophy
- spinocerebellar ataxia
- Huntingtons Disease
Whole gene mutation
-example
Charcot marie tooth disease
- 2 copies (duplication) of PMP22 gene which encodes myelin
What is the genetic mutation in the most common form of CF
Delta 508 - 3 base pair deletion (CTT coding for aa ‘Phe’) at position 508 of cftr gene

What is transcription
Process of forming mRNA from DNA nucleic acid sequence -> resulting in EXONS only (removes introns)
- > mRNA is single stranded with ribose sugar instead of deoxyribose and Uracil bases replacing T bases

What is an intron vs exon
Intron- any nucleotide sequence between exons within a gene that is removed by RNA splicing during maturation of the final RNA product. In other words, introns are non-coding regions of an RNA transcript, or the DNA encoding it, that are eliminated by splicing before translation.
Exons - coding segments of DNA which will encode a part of the final mature RNA produced by that gene after introns have been removed by RNA splicing.
-> codes for protein
What is translation
mRNA is translated into amino acids (3xpairs = 1 aa) which will form protein

What is this condition?
Butterfly distribution of photosensitive telangectatic facial rash
Malar hypoplasia
Short stature
Syndactyly
Recurrent infections
Risk of malignancy

Bloom syndrome
- chromosome 15q defects: BLM protein, which is a helicase involved in DNA repair.
= fragile chromosome disorder
- increased number of chromosomal breaks with sensitivity to UV radiation
- > risk of malignancy (squamous cell skin cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, and gastrointestinal tract cancer)
- > BLM protein required for normal development of B and T cells -> low number of lymphocytes (B mostly), but the immunodeficiency seems relatively mild since they have no severe or opportunistic infections (more recurrent ear and resp infx)
FISH
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a laboratory technique for detecting and locating a specific DNA sequence on a chromosome. The technique relies on exposing chromosomes to a small DNA sequence called a probe that has a fluorescent molecule attached to it.
Used for detection of specific submicroscopic deletions (ie WIlliams syndrome) and duplications and translocations
Non-disjunction
Failure of chromosomes to separate (usually during meiosis)
Mechanisms of trisomy 21
- Non-disjunction - 95% of cases
- 1 parental chromosome (usually maternal in setting of incr age) fails to separate at meiosis
- > resulting in 3x chromosome 21 (rather than 2; 2 from mo, 1 from fa) - Robertsonian translocation - 4% of cases
- a chromosome 21 is transloated onto another chromosome where they are joined to one another (14, 15, 21 or 22) = ie they have 2x normal ch 21 and 1x robertsonian translocation
- results in 45 chromosomes - Mosaicism (1%)
- these kids have some normal cells and some trisomy 21 cells resulting from non-disjoining occuring during mitosis AFTER fertilisation
- usually phenotypically affecte to lesser disease

Clinical feautres of t21
Hypotonic baby
Small stature
CNS: Dev delay, Early onset AD
Facial: upslanting palpebral fissures (eyes)
epicanthic folds
cataracts and brushfield spots (speckled irises)
small ears
dental hypoplasia, protruding tongue
short nekc
Hands and feet: shot fingers, 5th finger abnormally bent/curved
single palmar crease
sandal gap (wide gap) btwn 1st and 2nd toes
CVS: CHD - AVSD, VSD, PDA, ASD, valve prolapse
REsp: incr chest infx
Haem: incr incidence leukaemias (AML)
Endo: incr incidence hypothyroidism
Skin: loose neck folds in infancy
Genitalia: small penis/testes, infertility common
what do you see with alpha fetoprotein in T21?
LOW alpha fetoprotein
what are the features of trisomy 18/edwards syndrome?
General LBW, fetal inactivity, single umbi artery, skeletal muscle and adipose hypoplasia, ID
-key: overlapping inex finger and rockerbottom feet (see image)
***Serious cardiac defects*** ex: VSD, ASD, PDA, bicuspid aortic/pulm valves
Also assoc w R lung malsegemtnation or abscence and GI/renal abnormalitieis
Prognosis
- 50% die within 1st weak and only 5-10% survive the first year

spot diagnosis

Edwards syndrome/T18 (47xy+18)
- note overlapping index finger
- low set abnomrla eas
- small mouth
- micrognathia
- epicanthic folds
- prominent occiput
Spot diagnosis
What are the other features of this condition?

Trisomy 13 - Patau syndrome
Other ft:
- Single umbi artery adn LBW
- CNS: Scalp defect w varying degrees of incomplete forebrain development; seizures, severe ID
- Craniofacial: cleft lip +/- palate, abnormal low set ears, micropthalmia
- Fingers/toes: polydactyly; clenched fist w overlapping fingers
- Cardiac: 80% VSD, ASD, PDA, hypoplastic L heart
- GI: omphalocoele/umbi hernia w single umbi artery
- Genitals: cryporchidism, bicronuate uterus
80% die within first month

Turner syndrome karyotype
45xo

















