Post-zygotic Point Mutations Are an Underrecognized Source of De Novo Genomic Variation

De novo mutations are recognized both as an important source of genetic variation and as a prominent cause of sporadic disease in humans. Mutations identified as de novo are generally assumed to have occurred during gametogenesis and, consequently, to be present as germline events in an individual. Because Sanger sequencing does not provide the sensitivity to reliably distinguish somatic from germline mutations, the proportion of de novo mutations that occur somatically rather than in the germline remains largely unknown.

Source: The American Journal of Human Genetics - June 5, 2015 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Rocio Acuna-Hidalgo, Tan Bo, Michael P. Kwint, Maartje van de Vorst, Michele Pinelli, Joris A. Veltman, Alexander Hoischen, Lisenka E.L.M. Vissers, Christian Gilissen Tags: Article Source Type: research