A groundbreaking study challenges the long-held belief that UV sunburns are caused by DNA damage. Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Nanyang Technological University discovered that RNA, not DNA, plays a crucial role in triggering acute sunburn reactions. The study suggests that RNA damage activates a stress response known as the ribotoxic stress response, which leads to inflammation, cell death, and thicker skin layers. This faster and more effective mechanism could fundamentally alter our understanding of how the skin protects itself from UV radiation.
The research tested its findings on mice and human skin cells, demonstrating that RNA damage is a key trigger for sunburn-like reactions in both organisms. The study highlights that while DNA damage is often blamed for skin diseases, this new insight opens doors to innovative treatments for chronic skin conditions caused by overexposure to sunlight.
Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250117/RNA-damage-plays-key-role-in-sunburn-reaction.aspx