What is the significance of mutations in non-coding DNA? A - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 16 - 2022 - Paper 1

Mutations in non-coding DNA can play a crucial role in regulating gene expression. Although non-coding regions do not code for proteins, they can contain regulatory elements such as promoters, enhancers, or silencers that control the transcription of nearby genes. A mutation in these regions may alter the binding affinity of transcription factors or the accessibility of the DNA, potentially leading to increased or decreased expression of specific genes.