RNA damage takes center stage in sunburn science

New research from Copenhagen and NTU Singapore shows the immediate sunburn response is driven by RNA damage, not DNA. UV exposure triggers RNA damage that activates the ribotoxic stress response via the ZAK-alpha pathway, leading to inflammation and cell death; knocking out ZAK in mice reduces these responses. This challenges long-held beliefs about UV damage and could rewrite textbooks, influence sun-protection strategies, and inspire new approaches to inflammatory skin conditions.