What is the Difference Between Hypermorph and Neomorph?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Hypermorph and neomorph are two types of gain-of-function mutations that can occur in genes. Here are the main differences between them:
- Hypermorphic mutations cause an increase in normal gene function. They produce more of the same active product, either through increased transcription or by making the product more efficient or effective at its function. These mutations usually act as dominant to the wild type allele.
- Neomorphic mutations produce an active product with a new, different function, something that the wild type allele doesn't do. This novel function can result from new expression (in a new tissue or time) or a mutation in the product that creates a new function not present in the wild type product. Changing the wild type gene dose has no effect on the phenotype of a neomorph.
In summary, both hypermorph and neomorph mutations result in increased or altered gene activity, but hypermorphic mutations amplify the normal gene function, while neomorphic mutations introduce a new, distinct function.
Comparative Table: Hypermorph vs Neomorph
Here is a table comparing the differences between hypermorph and neomorph mutations:
| Feature | Hypermorph | Neomorph |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Increased function of the normal gene product | A new or altered function of the gene product that is not present in the wild type allele |
| Gene Activity | Produces more of the same active product | Produces a product with a new, different function |
| Examples | Increased transcription of a gene or a change to the product that makes it more efficient | A mutation in the product that creates a new function not present in the wild type product, such as new expression (new tissue or time) or a new protein-protein interaction |
| Dominance | Almost always dominant to the wild type allele | Almost always dominant to the wild type allele |
| Phenotype Severity | Mutant phenotypes shown by both mutations are more severe in the homozygous genotype | Mutant phenotypes shown by both mutations are more severe in the homozygous genotype |
| Muller's Morph | Class 4 | Class 5 |
Both hypermorph and neomorph mutations are types of gain-of-function mutations, but they differ in the way the mutated gene product functions. Hypermorph mutations result in increased activity of the normal gene product, while neomorph mutations lead to a new or altered function that is not present in the wild type allele.
- Anamorph Teleomorph vs Holomorph
- Differentiation vs Morphogenesis
- Histogenesis vs Morphogenesis
- Epimorphosis vs Morphallaxis
- Morpheme vs Allomorph
- Hyperplasia vs Neoplasia
- Anatomy vs Morphology
- Metagenesis vs Metamorphosis
- Molting vs Metamorphosis
- Neoteny vs Progenesis
- Hypo vs Hyper
- Word vs Morpheme
- Polymorphism vs Amorphism
- Morphing vs Tweening
- Morpheme vs Phoneme
- Neurulation vs Gastrulation
- Lectotype vs Neotype
- Neoteny vs Paedogenesis
- Phonology vs Morphology