mismatchrepairjärjestelmä

Mismatch repair is a crucial DNA repair system found in all living organisms. Its primary function is to correct errors that occur during DNA replication, such as base mismatches and small insertions or deletions. These errors, if left uncorrected, can lead to mutations that may have detrimental effects on cell function and organism health.

The mismatch repair system works by identifying and removing these replication errors. In most organisms, this process involves a set of conserved proteins. These proteins recognize the mismatched base pair, bind to it, and then initiate a repair process. This typically involves excising a segment of the DNA strand containing the error and resynthesizing the correct sequence using the undamaged strand as a template. The accuracy of this process is remarkably high, significantly reducing the mutation rate.

Defects in the mismatch repair system can have severe consequences. In humans, deficiencies in mismatch repair genes are strongly associated with a hereditary form of colorectal cancer known as Lynch syndrome. These cancers arise due to the accumulation of mutations in genes that regulate cell growth and division. Therefore, the mismatch repair system plays a vital role in maintaining genomic stability and preventing the development of cancer.