Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) is a rare, autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight. This condition predominantly affects the skin and eyes, leading to a heightened risk of skin cancer and other complications. XP is divided into several complementation groups, with Xeroderma Pigmentosum, Complementation Group A (XPA) being one of the most studied due to its severe clinical manifestations.
The XPA gene, located on chromosome 9q22.33, encodes a protein crucial for the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway, a primary mechanism for repairing UV-induced DNA damage . Mutations in the XPA gene result in defective DNA repair, leading to the accumulation of DNA damage and subsequent cellular malfunction . Individuals with XPA mutations exhibit less than 2% of normal DNA repair activity .
Patients with XPA typically present with severe photosensitivity, early onset of skin cancers (such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma), and various neurological abnormalities . Common symptoms include:
The XPA protein plays a pivotal role in the NER pathway by recognizing and binding to damaged DNA sites. It interacts with other proteins to form a complex that unwinds the DNA, excises the damaged section, and replaces it with the correct DNA sequence . This process is essential for maintaining genomic stability and preventing mutations that could lead to cancer .
Human recombinant XPA refers to the XPA protein produced through recombinant DNA technology. This involves inserting the XPA gene into a suitable expression system, such as bacteria or yeast, to produce the protein in large quantities. Recombinant XPA is used in research to study the NER pathway and develop potential therapeutic interventions for XP .