What is the inheritance pattern of Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome?

Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome is characterized by an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. This means that a single copy of the mutated gene inherited from one parent is sufficient to express the syndrome. In this case, the condition is associated with mutations in the STK11 gene, which plays a crucial role in cellular signaling and tumor suppression.

Autosomal dominant inheritance results in the disorder being expressed in both males and females equally, and it can be passed down from an affected individual to their offspring. The presence of Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome can lead to various medical issues, including gastrointestinal polyps and an increased risk of certain cancers.

The other inheritance patterns mentioned are different in nature: autosomal recessive would require two copies of the mutated gene for the disorder to manifest, X-linked would involve genes located on the X chromosome and typically exhibit different inheritance patterns in males and females, and mitochondrial inheritance involves genes in the mitochondrial DNA passed only from mother to offspring, none of which apply to Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome. This is why the correct answer is the autosomal dominant pattern.