XPA also known as XP1 is a zinc finger protein plays a critical role in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway, which is essential for repairing DNA damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) light. This function is particularly important as deficiencies in NER can lead to xeroderma pigmentosum, a genetic disorder that significantly increases the risk of skin cancer due to the accumulation of unrepaired DNA lesions. XPA is responsible for coordinating the assembly of the preincision complex necessary for recognizing and excising damaged DNA, and XPA exhibits a unique ability to bind to both single-stranded and double-stranded DNA, enhancing efficiency in damage recognition.