MPG initiates the BER pathway by identifying and removing damaged bases from the DNA. It cleaves the N-glycosidic bond between the base and the sugar-phosphate backbone, creating an abasic site. This site is then processed by other enzymes, including AP endonuclease, DNA polymerase, and DNA ligase, to restore the DNA to its undamaged state. The efficiency of MPG in recognizing and excising damaged bases is vital for preventing mutations and maintaining cellular functions.
