What is meant by a dominant mutation?

[Genecks]

I should probably know about this, but I do not. I'm reading about the KIT gene and how a dominant mutation causes piebaldism.

 

Does that mean the following:

 

A non-functional allele mutates into a functional (dominant allele).

 

What does the term "dominant mutation" mean?

[Mr Skeptic]

I think it means that the mutant form of the gene, is dominant. Same as any other gene being dominant. Say, an enzyme that is stuck in the active form due to a mutation at a repressor binding site.

[CharonY]

The first part of the answer is correct, a dominant mutation is a mutation resulting in a dominant allele. I.e. an allele causing a dominant phenotype. Do not make the mistake with confusing it with e.g. enzyme activity, though. It is quite possible that the reverse is true. I.e. constitutively active variants are recessive alleles). Depending (in this case) on the underlying regulatory network.

[dttom]

To say an allele is dominant, you need a reference context, or what allele are you comparing it with. Then a dominant allele would be one that is able to cause a phenotype by single copy.

Edited September 15, 2010 by dttom

[Geethika]

A gene that undergoes mutation and also gets expressed in the filial generation, this occurs due to dominance and so it is a called as dominant mutation.

 

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