The MSH2 gene provides instructions for making a protein that plays an essential role in repairing DNA. This protein helps correct errors that are made when DNA is copied in preparation for cell division, a process called DNA replication. The MSH2 protein joins with another protein to form a two-protein complex called a dimer. This complex identifies locations where errors have been made during DNA replication. The MSH2 dimer, together with another dimer and additional proteins, makes the repairs by replacing the section of DNA that contains an error with a corrected DNA sequence. The MSH2 gene is one of a set of genes called mismatch repair (MMR) genes.
Other Names
COCA1; FCC1; MSH-2
Related Genetics Topics
- Lynch syndrome — MedlinePlus Genetics
- Constitutional mismatch repair deficiency syndrome — MedlinePlus Genetics
Identifiers
- NCBI Gene: 4436
- OMIM: 609309
Source: MedlinePlus Genetics, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
