Skin cancers include melanoma, basal cell, and squamous cell.
Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes – the cells that
produce the skin coloring or pigment known as melanin. Basal and
squamous cell skin cancers are called non-melanomas. Most basal and
squamous cell cancers develop on sun-exposed areas of the skin, like the
face, ear, neck, lips, and the backs of the hands. Basal cell, squamous
cell and melanoma cancers are almost always curable when they are found
in the very early stages.
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds
is a primary cause of skin cancer. Now, researchers have uncovered a
"sunscreen gene" that they say could repair the effects of such
exposure.
![[A woman with sunscreen on her shoulder]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_u8SZmrWeshRLGelE17Hbj8Cenpx5sZN0e6l9-2SWPJF-GVnKOqxSTpraeIm6pBhj5vpXiYpbnnHDWGQaIR9zzd-ATvReN4JEoLH1Aymr2SD8Mt1SO0R8AuI2aoWuZ4a6wUioxyBxdprTKCsho4R_Eyo0BMqtt69tQjw3u5WXPwdU2POGc7afe_7_NJ=s0-d)
Researchers found a gene called UVRAG repairs damage called by UV radiation.
Senior author Chengyu Liang, of the Keck School of Medicine at the
University of Southern California (USC), and colleagues publish their
findings in the journal Molecular Cell.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer among men and women in the United States.
According to the American Cancer Society, every year, around 3.3 million Americans are diagnosed with basal and squamous cell skin cancers, and around 76,380 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer - the deadliest form.
The Skin Cancer Foundation state that ultraviolet (UV) radiation is considered the primary cause of basal and squamous cell skin cancers, while Liang and colleagues note that UV exposure is the cause of more than 90 percent of melanoma skin cancers.
UV radiation - from sunlight and tanning beds and lamps - damages the DNA of skin cells, which can cause genetic mutations that lead to skin cancer.
But in the new study, the researchers reveal the discovery of a gene that appears to protect against the effects of UV-related skin cell damage, paving the way for a possible preventive strategy for skin cancer.
For their study, Liang and colleagues investigated the function of the UV radiation resistance-associated gene (UVRAG).
Previous research has suggested the gene plays a role in a disease called xeroderma pigmentosum, which increases sensitivity to sunlight, raising the risk for skin cancer.
However, the role of UVRAG among healthy individuals and those with skin cancer has been unclear.
Human and fruit fly melanoma cells with normal copies of the UVRAG gene were also assessed.
On administering a shot of UV radiation to the cells, the team found those that possessed the normal UVRAG gene had more than 50 percent of the damage caused by UV radiation repaired within 24 hours
![[A woman with sunscreen on her shoulder]](http://cdn1.medicalnewstoday.com/content/images/articles/310/310442/woman-with-sunscreen-on-shoulder.jpg)
Researchers found a gene called UVRAG repairs damage called by UV radiation.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer among men and women in the United States.
According to the American Cancer Society, every year, around 3.3 million Americans are diagnosed with basal and squamous cell skin cancers, and around 76,380 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer - the deadliest form.
The Skin Cancer Foundation state that ultraviolet (UV) radiation is considered the primary cause of basal and squamous cell skin cancers, while Liang and colleagues note that UV exposure is the cause of more than 90 percent of melanoma skin cancers.
UV radiation - from sunlight and tanning beds and lamps - damages the DNA of skin cells, which can cause genetic mutations that lead to skin cancer.
But in the new study, the researchers reveal the discovery of a gene that appears to protect against the effects of UV-related skin cell damage, paving the way for a possible preventive strategy for skin cancer.
For their study, Liang and colleagues investigated the function of the UV radiation resistance-associated gene (UVRAG).
Previous research has suggested the gene plays a role in a disease called xeroderma pigmentosum, which increases sensitivity to sunlight, raising the risk for skin cancer.
However, the role of UVRAG among healthy individuals and those with skin cancer has been unclear.
UV damage repair reduced with abnormal UVRAG
In this latest research, the team analyzed human melanoma cells and those of a fruit fly model. Each group had either reduced levels of UVRAG or a mutated copy of the gene.Human and fruit fly melanoma cells with normal copies of the UVRAG gene were also assessed.
On administering a shot of UV radiation to the cells, the team found those that possessed the normal UVRAG gene had more than 50 percent of the damage caused by UV radiation repaired within 24 hours
Posts
0 Comments