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Cells deficient in hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) enzyme rely on
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- Synthesis of purine deoxynucleotides by salvage pathway
- Synthesis of purine deoxynucleotides by de novo pathway
- Supply of hypoxanthine in the culture medium
- Supply of thymidine in the culture medium
Correct Option: B
The antibiotic aminopterin inhibits the de novo nucleotide synthesis pathway. However, normal cells survive in this medium as they are able to use the salvage pathway for nucleic acid synthesis. But if the cells are unable to produce the enzyme Hypoxanthine-Guanine Phospho Ribosyl Transferase (HGPRT), they are unable to utilize the salvage pathway and therefore die in aminopterin containing medium.
