Which step in Base Excision Repair immediately follows the removal of the damaged base?

In the Base Excision Repair (BER) pathway, the immediate step that follows the removal of the damaged base is the replacement of that base. After a damaged or inappropriate base is recognized and properly excised by specific glycosylases, an empty site (apurinic/apyrimidinic site) is created in the DNA strand.

Following this removal, DNA polymerase is recruited to the site to fill in the gap with the correct nucleotide that corresponds to the missing base. This step is crucial because it ensures that the integrity of the genetic material is restored by replacing the damaged or incorrect nucleotide with the correct one. The accuracy of this replacement is vital for maintaining genetic stability and preventing mutations that could arise from a mispaired nucleotide or a missing base. After the base has been replaced, additional steps will include sealing the DNA strand, which involves the ligation of the newly synthesized DNA to the existing strand.