A unified model for the molecular basis of Xeroderma pigmentosum-Cockayne Syndrome

Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER) is a pathway that removes lesions distorting the DNA helix. The molecular basis of the rare diseases Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) and Cockayne Syndrome (CS) are explained based on the defects happening in 2 NER branches: Global-Genome Repair and Transcription-Coupled Repair, respectively. Nevertheless, both afflictions sporadically occur together, giving rise to XP/CS; however, the molecular basis of XP/CS is not understood very well. Many efforts have been made to clarify why mutations in only 4 NER genes, namely XPB, XPD, XPF and XPG, are the basis of this disease. Effort has also been made to unravel why mutations within these genes lead to XP, XP/CS, or other pathologies. We have recently contributed to the disclosure of this puzzle by characterizing Rad3/XPD mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and human cells. Based on our, and others', observations, we propose a model compatible with all XP/CS cases and the current bibliography.