Genomic integrity is constantly insulted by solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Adaptative cellular mechanisms called DNA damage responses comprising DNA repair, cell cycle checkpoint, and apoptosis, are believed to be evolved to limit genomic instability according to the photoperiod during a day. As seen in many other key cellular metabolisms, genome surveillance mechanisms against genotoxic UV radiation are under the control of circadian clock systems, thereby exhibiting daily oscillations in their catalytic activities. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that nucleotide excision repair (NER), the sole DNA repair mechanism correcting UV-induced DNA photolesions, and ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated and Rad3-related (ATR)-mediated cell cycle checkpoint kinase are subjected to the robust control of the circadian clock. The molecular foundation for the circadian rhythm of UV-induced DNA damage responses in mammalian cells will be discussed.
Keywords: 6-4 photoproduct (6-4 PP); DNA damage response; DNA repair; ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated and Rad3-related (ATR); chronotherapy; circadian clock; cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD); nucleotide excision repair (NER); ultraviolet radiation (UV).