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Frameshift Mutations

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A frameshift mutation inserts or deletes a number of nucleotides not divisible by three, shifting the reading frame for every downstream codon.

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A single nucleotide deletion near a gene's start scrambles every following codon, usually producing a nonfunctional protein.

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An insertion or deletion of exactly three nucleotides adds or removes one codon without shifting frame — only non-multiples of three cause frameshift.