What does mutator mean?
In modern English, a mutator is most often a biological agent—often a gene or an organism—that causes mutations or raises the rate at which mutations arise. The best-known example is a mutator gene, a genetic element whose activity can increase the rate at which mutations occur in a cell or organism. This makes mutator a technical term rather than a general synonym for something that simply changes; in ordinary use, changer or modifier would be more natural. In genetics and mutation research, the word has a specific connotation: a mutator is associated with an unusually elevated mutation rate, whether that increase is beneficial, harmful, or neutral. The term can also describe an agent or tool that systematically alters data or code. Mutator comes from mutate and ultimately from Latin mutare, “to change,” placing it in a family that includes mutation, mutant, and mutable. Its usefulness lies in identifying the agent responsible for mutations rather than the mutations themselves. A related term often encountered in the same contexts is mutagen, which usually refers to a chemical or physical cause of mutations.
nounA mutator is an organism, gene, or other agent that causes mutations, especially one that increases the rate at which mutations occur.
- An organism, gene, or other agent that causes mutations, especially one associated with an elevated mutation rate.
"The researchers discovered a mutator gene that substantially increased the bacteria's rate of mutation."
"The laboratory identified a mutator gene that increased the strain's mutation rate."
"The mutation-testing framework uses mutators to alter program inputs and uncover missed faults."
The regular plural is mutators.
"The researchers compared several mutators to identify the strains with the highest mutation rates."
A mutator gene can turn up the rate of DNA mutation, giving an organism more genetic possibilities—and more genetic mistakes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mutator come from?
Mutator belongs to the Latin mutare, “to change or alter,” and its agent-forming ending identifies something that produces a change. The English verb mutate comes from the same Latin root. Related words including mutation, mutant, mutable, and immutable ultimately share this origin.
How mutator is actually used
The word is chiefly technical in biology, genetics, and mutation research. Outside specialist contexts, it may sound unusual and can refer more generally to a thing that changes data, code, or other material.
Easily confused with mutator
A mutator is the organism, gene, or other agent producing mutations, whereas a mutagen usually denotes a chemical or physical agent that causes mutations.