What does 'PAM' refer to in genetic editing?

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The term 'PAM' refers to a specific sequence of nucleotides located near the target DNA that is crucial for the functionality of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology. PAM stands for "Protospacer Adjacent Motif," which is a short, conserved sequence that the Cas9 protein recognizes and binds to in the DNA prior to making a cut. This sequence is essential because it helps distinguish between the target DNA and the host organism's own DNA, ensuring that the CRISPR system only targets the intended genetic sequence.

The presence of the PAM sequence is a critical factor for the Cas9 protein to initiate the editing process, as the protein is designed to bind to this sequence in order to accurately and efficiently introduce edits in the genome. Without the appropriate PAM sequence, the Cas9 enzyme would not be able to identify the correct target, thus failing to execute the intended genetic modification.

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