NER (Nucleotide excision repair) pathway

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is a natural process our cells use to fix damaged DNA caused by sunlight, pollution, or other harmful factors. When DNA strands get broken or distorted, NER identifies the specific damaged sections, unwinds the DNA, and removes the faulty segment. Enzymes then fill in the missing part with correct nucleotides, restoring the DNA’s integrity. This repair mechanism is vital for maintaining healthy cells and preventing mutations that can lead to diseases like cancer. Essentially, NER acts as a cellular "damage control" system, ensuring our genetic information stays accurate.