Inheritance Pattern of Oxidative Stress Gene Mutations

In recent genetic research, scientists identified a gene responsible for regulating the cellular response to oxidative stress. This gene, which encodes for a transcription factor, plays a crucial role in activating antioxidant response elements (AREs) to help cells combat oxidative damage. Mice with a homozygous knock-out of this gene demonstrated increased susceptibility to oxidative stress-induced cellular damage, while wild-type mice showed a significantly enhanced capacity for cellular repair under similar conditions.

Based on this information, which of the following best describes the likely mode of inheritance for mutations in this gene that lead to increased oxidative stress susceptibility?