Scientists discover gene responsible for sunburn condition

The research group was comprised of Nagasaki University Research Centre for Genomic Instability and Carcinogenesis (NRGIC), Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Innovative Beauty Science Laboratory of Kanebo Cosmetics, and was published in the advance online publication of Nature Genetics.

The UVSSA gene identified was also discovered in succession by two other groups of researchers at Osaka University and Erasmus Medical Centre, The Netherlands.

Their findings will be published simultaneously with the present findings in Nature Genetics, which demonstrates the high level of global attention given to this important issue.

Sensitivity syndrome​

The discoveries are based around the gene responsible for 'ultraviolet (UV)-sensitive syndrome (UVSS),' which results in a strong sunburn response when exposed to sunlight, and have analysed its molecular function.

Individuals with this syndrome have an extremely mild form of hereditary photosensitivity that causes nearly no symptoms other than intense sunburn.

Though the syndrome was first reported nearly 30 years ago, the causal gene has been previously unknown.

Using 'next-generation sequencing analysis,' the most advanced technique available for analyzing whole-genome (DNA) sequencing of an individual in a short amount of time, the research group from Nagasaki University and Kanebo compared genetic sequences among subjects and successfully identified the causal gene.

Further study​

According to the researchers, clarification of the sunburn mechanism in normal healthy individuals and establishment of technology for sunburn-resistant skin has become highly likely from detailed analysis of the gene.

The present findings were attained as a result of studies regarding DNA repair following sunlight exposure conducted by Nagasaki University and Kanebo Cosmetics, with gene function analysis planned to continue.

In addition, an investigation regarding possible individual differences in sunburn susceptibility according to the functional strength of the UVSSA gene is underway.

From those results, the sunburn mechanism in normal healthy individuals will also be clarified, which will assist in developing new technology to realize sunburn-resistant skin.