Translation Initiation Abnormality

**Semantic type:** Cell or Molecular Dysfunction

**Definition:** An abnormality that results from a functional change in the mRNA sequence at the translation initiation codon. In eukaryotic organisms, the initiation codon is always AUG. A mutation in either DNA or corresponding mRNA that alters this initiation sequence causes termination of mRNA translation. No functional protein product is synthesized when a translation initiation abnormality exists.