Ectopic expression of an extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK)-green fluorescent protein (ERK1-GFP) induces acquisition of growth in soft agar that is selectively associated with latent effects on the expression of DNA methyl transferases (DNMT1 and 3b), xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group A (XPA), DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), increased phosphatase activity and enhanced sensitivity to 5-azacytidine (5-azaC)-mediated toxicity, relative to controls. This evidence concerns the gene XPA and Xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group A.