True statement regarding base excision repair is ?
Now, the question is asking for a true statement about BER. The correct answer probably relates to the steps involved in BER. Let me think: BER starts with DNA glycosylases, which recognize and remove the damaged base, creating an abasic site. Then, AP endonuclease cuts the DNA backbone, and other enzymes like DNA polymerase and ligase fill in the correct base and seal the strand. So the key steps involve glycosylases and AP endonuclease.
Looking at the options, the correct answer should mention DNA glycosylases as the first step. Let's say the options are something like:
A. Involves nucleases to remove a segment of DNA containing the error.
B. Requires DNA ligase to create a nick in the DNA backbone.
C. Initiated by DNA glycosylases that remove damaged bases.
D. Utilizes helicase to unwind the DNA for repair.
Option C would be correct because glycosylases are the first enzymes involved. The other options are incorrect because A refers to nucleases removing a segment, which is more like nucleotide excision repair. B is wrong because DNA ligase is for sealing, not creating a nick. D mentions helicase, which is involved in replication, not BER.
The clinical pearl here is that BER is crucial for fixing small, common DNA lesions and that glycosylases are the key initiators. So the correct answer is C.
**Core Concept**
Base excision repair (BER) is a DNA repair pathway that corrects small, non-helix-distorting base lesions, such as 8-oxoguanine or uracil. It involves sequential enzymatic steps starting with DNA glycosylases, which recognize and remove damaged bases, followed by AP endonuclease, DNA polymerase, and ligase to complete repair.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct statement is: "Initiated by DNA glycosylases that remove damaged bases." DNA glycosylases are the first enzymes in BER, responsible for cleaving the N-glycosidic bond between the damaged base and the sugar backbone, creating an abasic (AP) site. This is critical for initiating repair, as subsequent enzymes (e.g., AP endonuclease) act on the AP site to process the lesion.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Incorrect. BER does not involve nucleases to remove large DNA segments; this describes nucleotide excision repair (NER).
**Option B:** Incorrect. DNA ligase seals nicks in BER but does not create a nick; AP endonuclease performs this step.
**Option D:** Incorrect. Helicase unwinds DNA during replication or NER, not BER, which acts on localized, small lesions.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
BER is essential for repairing oxidative DNA damage and maintaining genomic stability. Glycosylases are the "first responders" in this pathway, and deficiencies can lead to neurodegenerative diseases like