Mismatch repair

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Mismatch Repair (MMR) - The DNA Proofreaders

  • Function: A crucial post-replication repair system that corrects errors missed by DNA polymerase's proofreading activity.
  • Mechanism: Identifies and repairs mismatched bases (e.g., G-T instead of G-C) and small insertions/deletions (indels) that arise during DNA replication.

Mismatch Repair (MMR) Models identifying and correcting a base pair mismatch in a newly synthesized DNA strand)

⭐ Defective MMR is the genetic basis for Lynch syndrome, also known as Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC), which leads to a high risk of colorectal, endometrial, and other cancers.

MMR Pathway - The Repair Crew

Eukaryotic Mismatch Repair (MMR) Pathway pathway diagram with MutS and MutL homologs)

  • Recognition & Recruitment: MutS homologs (MSH2, MSH6) bind the mismatch. MutL homologs (MLH1, PMS2) are recruited.
  • Strand Identification:
    • Prokaryotes: Parent strand is methylated (dam methylase); new strand is not.
    • Eukaryotes: New strand identified by nicks near the replication fork.
  • Repair Execution: The complex nicks the new strand, an exonuclease removes the mismatched segment, DNA polymerase resynthesizes the gap, and DNA ligase seals the nick.

Lynch Syndrome (HNPCC): An autosomal dominant disease caused by inherited mutations in MMR genes (e.g., MSH2, MLH1), leading to microsatellite instability and a high risk of colorectal, endometrial, and other cancers.

Lynch Syndrome - When Repair Fails

  • Inheritance: Autosomal dominant. A single mutated allele is sufficient to ↑ cancer risk.
  • Genetic Basis: Germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. The most frequently affected are:
    • MLH1
    • MSH2
    • MSH6
    • PMS2
  • Pathophysiology: Inactivation of the second MMR allele (two-hit hypothesis) leads to defective repair of DNA replication errors.
  • Molecular Hallmark: Results in microsatellite instability (MSI), where short, repetitive DNA sequences vary in length due to faulty repair. This is a key feature in tumor analysis.

IHC staining of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 in colon cancer

  • Associated Cancers:
    • 📌 Mnemonic: CEO
    • Colorectal (often right-sided)
    • Endometrial (most common extra-colonic cancer)
    • Ovarian
    • Also stomach, small bowel, and urothelial cancers.

⭐ Lynch syndrome is also known as Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC). Unlike FAP, it doesn't typically involve numerous polyps, but cancer develops at a much younger age.

High-Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Primary Function: Corrects errors made during DNA replication that escape the polymerase's proofreading function.
  • Key Step: Differentiates between parent and daughter strands to repair the newly synthesized strand. In prokaryotes, this is guided by adenine methylation.
  • Core Machinery: Involves MutS/MSH (mismatch recognition) and MutL/MLH (coordination) protein families.
  • Clinical Significance: Inherited mutations in MSH2, MLH1, MSH6, PMS2 cause Lynch syndrome (HNPCC).
  • Pathological Hallmark: Defective MMR results in microsatellite instability (MSI).

Practice Questions: Mismatch repair

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 42-year-old woman presents to her primary care physician with fatigue. She reports that over the past 2 months, she has felt increasingly tired despite no changes in her diet or exercise. Her past medical history is notable for obesity, seasonal allergies, and hypertension. She takes ranitidine as needed and hydrochlorothiazide daily. Her family history is notable for colorectal cancer in her mother and maternal uncle, endometrial cancer in her maternal aunt, and ovarian cancer in her maternal grandmother. Her temperature is 98.8°F (37.1°C), blood pressure is 132/71 mmHg, pulse is 89/min, and respirations are 17/min. On exam, she has conjunctival pallor. A stool sample is hemoccult positive. A colonoscopy reveals a fungating hemorrhagic mass in the ascending colon. Which of the following processes is likely impaired in this patient?

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Flashcards: Mismatch repair

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Xeroderma Pigmentosum is an inherited pathology due to a defective _____ pathway

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Xeroderma Pigmentosum is an inherited pathology due to a defective _____ pathway

Nucleotide Excision Repair

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