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excision repair
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excision repair

biology
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Quick Summary

Excision repair is a crucial biological process that cells use to maintain the integrity of their DNA. This repair mechanism is vital for preventing mutations from being passed on during DNA replication and for preserving overall cellular health.

There are two main types of excision repair:

  • Base Excision Repair (BER): This pathway specifically targets and removes damaged single DNA bases, such as those altered by oxidation or deamination. It involves enzymes like DNA glycosylase to identify and remove the damaged base, followed by steps to repair the DNA strand and fill in the gap with correct nucleotides.1
  • Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER): This pathway handles a broader range of DNA distortions, including those caused by UV radiation or certain chemical agents. NER machinery recognizes and removes larger segments of the DNA helix containing the damage.2

Failure in these DNA repair mechanisms can lead to serious consequences, including genetic diseases and cancer.2

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. base excision repair
  2. DNA repair

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