Human cells deficient in p53 regulated p21(waf1/cip1) expression exhibit normal nucleotide excision repair of UV-induced DNA damage.

Cancer development requires the accumulation of numerous genetic changes, which are believed to initiate through the presence of unrepaired lesions in the genome. In the absence of proficient repair, genotoxic agents can lead to crucial mutations of vital cellular genes via replication of damaged DNA. Many cell cycle regulatory proteins are known to modulate the repair capacity and consequently the fate of cells.