CpMutM1 but not CpMutM2 has important residues involved in recognition and excision of 8-oxoguanine.
Overexpression of CpMutM1 or CpMutM2 proteins has a toxic effect on E. coli BH20 (mutM −).
Only the CpMutM1 protein proved capable of recognizing and excising 8-oxoguanine damage.
In silico-generated structures show a high degree of conservation between CpMutM1 and CpMutM2.
Docking revealed a correct positioning of 8-oxoguanine at the active site of CpMutM1 but not CpMutM2.