ATM protein

ATM protein, short for Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated, is a crucial enzyme in the body’s cellular machinery. It functions primarily as a sensor for DNA damage, especially from radiation or oxidative stress. When DNA is damaged, ATM activates other proteins that help repair the DNA or initiate cell death if the damage is too severe. This process prevents mutations that could lead to cancer. In individuals with mutations in the ATM gene, these repair mechanisms malfunction, increasing cancer risk and causing neurological issues, as seen in a genetic disorder called ataxia-telangiectasia.