Defects in NER can lead to severe genetic disorders. For instance, Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) is characterized by extreme sensitivity to UV light and a high predisposition to skin cancers. Patients with XP have mutations in genes encoding NER proteins, highlighting the critical role of NER in preventing UV-induced DNA damage. Another disorder, Cockayne Syndrome (CS), results from defects in TC-NER, leading to symptoms such as growth retardation, neurological degeneration, and premature aging.
