Conditional-lethal mutation

Conditional-lethal mutations are understood as mutations that can cause a lethal effect. However, this effect only occurs when dealing with certain environmental conditions, hence it is conditioning. At a restrictive environmental condition, the mutation assumes the lethal effect, however, at a permissive environmental condition, the mutation allows cell growth and reproduction of apparently normal manner.

The presence of these mutations has been observed in many organisms, including humans, serving as a genetic marker of much of essential genes. Moreover, the conditions which enable these mutations are subject, through his study, draw conclusions about the nature and behavior of genes that so-called normal mutations do not allow.

Conditional lethal mutation made by genetic recombination, In this case we can see how different conditions - absence or presence of Ara - affect the behavior of the mutation

Bibliografia:

Black A. K., Singh S.M.; Conditional Lethal Mutations as Experimental Tools; Encyclopedia of life sciences (2001)

Kima S.W., Kangb H.Y., Hurc J., Gald S.W., Banga W.Y., Choe K., Kime C.W., Bahkf J.D., Leec J.H.; Construction of a conditional lethal Salmonella mutant via genetic recombination using the ara system and asd gene; Journal of Microbiological Methods; Volume 87 (2011)