Theory of Point Mutation

In 1962 P.-O. Lowdin suggested that the double proton shifts in a base pair causing a point mutation can occur also between the two bases intermolecular proton shifts ). His idea is supported by the fact that the 

11 Possible Role of Solid-State Properties of Biopolymers 

FIGURE 11.1. Tautomeric rearrangement ofanA-T base pair (caused by two mframo/ecM-lar proton shifts) which leads to a point mutation. 

FIGURE 11.2. Chemical formulas of the unusual tautomeric forms of the DNA bases which can cause a point mutation. 

FIGURE 11.3. The Watson-Crick mechanism of point mutation (after Watson and Crick ). 

---