![The effect of base substitutions, or point mutations, on the messenger-RNA codon AUA, which codes …[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]](http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/41/79541-004-1FE1AE5E.gif)
The effect of base substitutions, or point mutations, on the messenger-RNA codon AUA, which codes for the amino acid isoleucine. Substitutions (red letters) at the first, second, or third position in the codon can result in nine new codons corresponding to six different amino acids in addition to isoleucine itself. The chemical properties of some of these amino acids are quite different from those of isoleucine. Replacement of one amino acid in a protein by another can seriously affect the protein’s biological function.
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