mutator phenotype

Mutator phenotype is a term used in genetics to describe a phenotype in which an increase in mutation frequency is observed throughout the genome.

This is caused by mutations in certain genes that lead to instability of the genome. These mutations occur in genes of DNA repair mechanisms. The resulting errors can therefore no longer be fully corrected during DNA replication. The result is an increase in the mutation rate. The mutator phenotype can play an important role in the adaptation of bacteria to certain living conditions.

Various mutations in tumor suppressor genes, such as the p53 gene, result in a mutator phenotype.

The mutator phenotype explains the increased mutation rates observed in malignant tumors. Analogous to bacterial and eukaryotic systems, evolutionary adaptation is manifested by mutator phenotypes as environmental conditions change, highlighting the delicate balance between beneficial mutations and their potentially deleterious consequences. For example, a deeper understanding of mutator and antimutator activities in yeasts and higher eukaryotes promises more effective anticancer strategies (Chung WH 2023)

1. Chung WH (2023) Signification and Application of Mutator and Antimutator Phenotype-Induced Genetic Variations in Evolutionary Adaptation and Cancer Therapeutics. J Microbiol 61:1013-1024.