Question

Which pathway is affected by an inherited mutation in the ATM gene?

a) UV repair pathway
b) photoreactivation
c) nucleotide excision repair pathway
d) reactivation repair pathway
e) p53 repair pathway

Answer 1

An inherited mutation in the ATM gene affects the nucleotide excision repair pathway.

Step-by-step explanation:

An inherited mutation in the ATM gene affects the nucleotide excision repair pathway.

Nucleotide excision repair is a mechanism in which enzymes recognize and remove damaged DNA segments and replace them with correct nucleotides. This repair pathway is responsible for fixing thymine dimers formed by UV light exposure.

For example, Xeroderma Pigmentosa patients, who have mutations in genes involved in nucleotide excision repair, are unable to repair thymine dimers caused by UV light and have a higher risk of developing skin cancer.