Final answer:
The most damaging DNA mutation to the protein it codes for is a frameshift mutation, such as a point mutation resulting in the deletion of one nucleotide.
Step-by-step explanation:
A frameshift mutation, such as a point mutation resulting in the deletion of one nucleotide, is most likely to be damaging to the protein it codes for. In a frameshift mutation, the reading frame of the mRNA is altered, causing a shift in the grouping of bases and a change in the amino acid sequence. This can result in a completely different set of codons and ultimately lead to the production of a nonfunctional protein.