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Ultraviolet A and Ultraviolet B radiation (UVA/UVB)
- Target
- UVA/UVB
- Molecular classification
- Other (physical agent/environmental factor; not a protein, receptor, enzyme, or molecular complex)
01
Overview
Ultraviolet A (315–400 nm) and Ultraviolet B (280–315 nm) radiation are bands of solar electromagnetic energy that reach the Earth’s surface and interact with biological tissue, primarily skin. UVA penetrates deeper and causes cellular damage mainly through oxidative stress, while UVB is mostly absorbed in the superficial skin and causes direct DNA damage by inducing covalent DNA lesions. Both types promote skin aging and carcinogenesis, modulate immune responses, and, for UVB, drive vitamin D synthesis. UVA/UVB are not targetable biomolecules but are major environmental risk factors studied in the context of skin health, cancer prevention, and phototherapy[1][2][3][5][6][7].
- Other names
- Ultraviolet A (UVA)Ultraviolet B (UVB)Solar ultraviolet radiationUV radiation
02
Mechanism of action
Sunscreens: absorb or reflect UV radiation, preventing penetration into skin cells and DNA damage Antioxidants: neutralize reactive oxygen species generated by UV exposure DNA repair enzymes: enhance cellular repair of UV-induced DNA lesions
03
Biological functions
Induces DNA damage in skin cells (often directly for UVB, indirectly via reactive oxygen species for UVA)Stimulates vitamin D synthesis in skin (UVB)Mediates local and systemic immune modulation/immunosuppressionActivates stress response pathways (e.g., apoptosis, autophagy, inflammatory signaling)Modulates skin pigmentation (melanin synthesis)
04
Disease associations
Skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma)Photoaging (premature skin aging, collagen breakdown, elastin fiber damage)ImmunosuppressionChronic inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseasesOcular disorders (cataract, macular degeneration)Other (various, including some neuroendocrine and systemic effects)
05
Safety considerations
Carcinogenicity (skin cancer risk from DNA mutations)Acute toxicity (sunburn, photodermatitis)Chronic toxicity (photoaging, immunosuppression, ocular disease)Safety of UV-blocking chemicals (allergic reactions, systemic absorption for some sunscreen ingredients)
06
Interacting drugs
Sunscreens (physical and chemical UV filters; e.g., zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate)
2 more in the full profile.
07
Biomarkers
DNA photoproducts (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers [CPDs], 6-4 photoproducts [6-4PPs])8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanine (8-OHdG; oxidative DNA damage marker)p53 mutations (common in UV-induced precancers/cancers)Matrix metalloproteinase expression (photoaging marker)
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