Molecular Mechanisms and the Significance of Synonymous Mutations.

ABSTRACT: Synonymous mutations result from the degeneracy of the genetic code. Most amino acids are encoded by two or more codons, and mutations that change a codon to another synonymous codon do not change the amino acid in the gene product. Historically, such mutations have been considered silent because they were assumed to have no to very little impact. However, research in the last few decades has produced several examples where synonymous mutations play important roles. These include optimizing expression by enhancing translation initiation and accelerating or decelerating translation elongation via codon usage and mRNA secondary structures, stabilizing mRNA molecules and preventing their breakdown before translation, and faulty protein folding or increased degradation due to enhanced ubiquiti

SUBMITTER: Oelschlaeger P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10813300 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature