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Mutagen

In biology, a mutagen (Latin, literally origin of change) is a physical or chemical agent that changes the genetic information (usually DNA) of an organism and thus increases the frequency of mutations above the natural background level. As many mutations cause cancer, mutagens are typically also carcinogens. Not all mutations are caused by mutagens: So-called "spontaneous mutations" occur due to errors in DNA replication, repair and recombination of DNA sequences.

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Effects of mutations

The changes in nucleic acid sequences by mutations include substitution of nucleotide base-pairs and insertions and deletions of one or more nucleotides in DNA sequences. Although many of these mutations are lethal, or cause serious disease, some have minor effects, as the changes they cause in the sequence of encoded proteins are not significant. Many mutations cause no visible effects at all, either because they occur in introns or because they do not change the amino-acid sequence, due to redundancy of codons.

Genetic drift

The change in a population’s genetic material due to the accumulation of random chance is called drift, and serves as a molecular clock. In general, the more nucleotide differences between two organisms, the more time has elapsed since their last common ancestor. Though it is difficult to determine in many organisms, estimates for mutation rates have been made for both E. coli and eukaryotes. It was estimated that, in these organisms, about one nucleotide in every 10¹⁰ is changed, and continues through reproduction to future generations of cells.

Discovery of mutagenesis

In the 1920s, Hermann Muller discovered that x-rays caused mutations in fruit flies. He went on to use x-rays to create Drosophila mutants that he used in his studies of genetics. He also discovered that x-rays not only mutate genes in fruit flies but also have effects on the genetic makeup of humans.^[1]

Nature of mutagens

Mutagens are usually chemical compounds or ionizing radiation. Mutagens can be divided into different categories according to their effect on DNA replication:

Some mutagens act as base analogs and get inserted into the DNA strand during replication in place of the substrates.
Some react with DNA and cause structural changes that lead to miscopying of the template strand when the DNA is replicated.
Some work indirectly by causing the cells to synthesize chemicals that have the direct mutagenic effect.

The Ames test is one method to determine how mutagenic an agent is.

Examples

Ionizing radiation, for example Ultraviolet light, gamma rays and alpha particles
Base analogs, which can substitute for DNA bases and cause copying errors
Deaminating agents such as Nitrous acid
Intercalating agents such as Ethidium bromide
Alkylating agents such as Bromouracil
Transposons, sections of DNA that undergo autonomous fragment relocation/multiplication
Some natural plant alkaloids, such as those from Vinca species.
Bromine and some of its compounds
Sodium azide
Psoralen combined with ultraviolet radiation causes DNA crosslinking and hence chromosome breakage

Mutagens in fiction

In science fiction, mutagens are often represented as substances that are capable of completely changing the form of the recipient.

The Inhumans of Marvel Comics utilize a mutagen called the "Terrigen Mist."
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were supposedly created by means of mutagens, as well as their master Splinter and (in the 1987 cartoon) their enemies Bebop and Rocksteady.
In the Street Fighter movie, a bag of mutagens is used by General Bison to transform Carlos Blanka into a monster.
In Lego's Bionicle franchise, the water surrounding the pit is mutagenic, causing mutation in most of the major characters that enter the water.
The Metroid Prime trilogy is based around Phazon, a highly radioactive substance, which is characterized by its highly mutagenic and corruptive properties.
In Disney's Gargoyles a mutagen is used to transform humans into mutates; a cross between gargoyles, humans, and electric eels.
tiberium can also mutate things it touches but it usually converts its target into a tiberium crystal

References

^ Campbell, Neil A. and Jane B. Reece. Biology. 7th ed. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Education, Inc, 2005.

I am Legend, in which 95% of the human race is wiped out, with 4% mutated in night stalkers, living off of blood, only appearing at night. See I am Legend book, or movie.