UVSSA : UV stimulated scaffold protein A
Description
The UVSSA (UV stimulated scaffold protein A) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 4.
The UVSSA gene provides instructions for making a protein involved in repairing DNA damaged by ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. This damage can block vital cell activities, including gene transcription, the first step in protein production. If left uncorrected, DNA damage accumulates, leading to cell malfunction and potentially cell death. Cells have several mechanisms to correct DNA damage, and the UVSSA protein plays a role in one mechanism that repairs damaged DNA within active genes. When DNA in active genes is damaged, the enzyme responsible for gene transcription (RNA polymerase) gets stuck, stalling the process. Researchers believe that the UVSSA protein helps remove RNA polymerase from the damaged site, allowing the DNA to be repaired. Part of UVSSA's role is to ensure that another important protein called CSB is not broken down by exposure to UV rays.
UVSSA is involved in transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER), a process that rapidly removes RNA polymerase II-blocking lesions from the transcribed strand of active genes. It facilitates the ubiquitination of the elongating form of RNA polymerase II (RNA pol IIo) at DNA damage sites, promoting RNA pol IIo backtracking and allowing the TC-NER machinery to access the lesion sites. UVSSA promotes stabilization of ERCC6 by recruiting deubiquitinating enzyme USP7 to TC-NER complexes, preventing UV-induced degradation of ERCC6 by the proteasome. It also facilitates transfer of TFIIH to RNA polymerase II. UVSSA is not involved in processing oxidative damage.
UVSSA is also known as KIAA1530, UVSS3.
