During their research, the USC team gave an ultraviolet shot to the cells with a normal UVRAG and cells with a defective version of the gene. After 24 hours, the cells with a normal UVRAG had repaired over 50 percent of the ultraviolet-incurred damage, while cells with a defective gene had repaired less than 20 percent of the damage. Essentially, people with a defective UVRAG have unrepaired damage that, over time, will leave them at a higher risk for developing skin cancer. "We found the expression level of the UV-resistant gene is related to melanoma patients' survival and metastasis stages," said Yongfei Yang, lead author of the research study. "Lower levels of the UV-resistant gene means a lower survival rate and advanced metastases stages."

Despite the role of this gene in repairing damage, clients should still take care to avoid unnecessary exposure to ultraviolet radiation and protect themselves when they are outside. "To our knowledge, the UV-resistant gene does not have any enzymic activity; it's a supporter or coordinator. Although it may not be the direct doer, without it, the whole structure collapses," said Chengyu Liang, the senior author of the research study.

References
Yang, Y., He, S., Wang, Q., Li, F., Kwak, M., Chen, S., ... Liang, C. (2016, May). Autophagic UVRAG Promotes UV-Induced Photolesion Repair by Activation of the CRL4DDB2 E3 Ligase. Molecular Cell, 62(4), 507-519. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2016.04.014 Vuong, Z. (2016, May). 'Sunscreen gene' may help protect against skin cancer. USC News.