I got online to research DNA changes, and I found this from the Learn Genetics with the University of Utah.
www.learngenetics.com
The University of Utah.
Duane's NF Disorder is believed to be due to mutation, there are no others in our family history to have NF.
I hope this helps.
WHAT CAUSES DNA MUTATIONS?
Mutations in DNA sequences generally occur through one of two processes:
- DNA damage from environmental agents such as ultraviolet light (sunshine), nuclear radiation or certain chemicals
- Mistakes that occur when a cell copies its DNA in preparation for cell division.
1. DNA damage from environmental agents
Modifying nucleotide bases
Ultraviolet light, nuclear radiation, and certain chemicals can damage DNA by altering nucleotide bases so that they
look like other nucleotide bases.
When the DNA strands are separated and copied, the altered base will pair with an incorrect base and cause a mutation.
In the example below a "modified" G now pairs with T, instead of forming a normal pair with C.
Breaking the phosphate backbone
Environmental agents such as nuclear radiation can damage DNA by breaking the bonds between oxygens (O) and
phosphate groups (P).
Breaking the phosphate backbone of DNA within a gene creates a mutated form of the gene. It is possible that the
mutated gene will produce a protein that functions differently.
Cells with broken DNA will attempt to fix the broken ends by joining these free ends to other pieces of DNA within the cell.
This creates a type of mutation called "translocation." If a translocation breakpoint occurs within or near a gene, that gene's
function may be affected.
2. Mistakes created during DNA duplication
Prior to cell division, each cell must duplicate its entire DNA sequence. This process is called DNA replication.
DNA replication begins when a protein called DNA helicase separates the DNA molecule into two strands.
Next, a protein called DNA polymerase copies each strand of DNA to create two double-stranded DNA molecules.
Mutations result when the DNA polymerase makes a mistake, which happens about once every 100,000,000 bases.
Actually, the number of mistakes that remain incorporated into the DNA is even lower than this because cells contain
special DNA repair proteins that fix many of the mistakes in the DNA that are caused by mutagens. The repair proteins
see which nucleotides are paired incorrectly, and then change the wrong base to the right one.
Source;
Learn Genetics, The University of Utah.
