What does p53 gene stand for?

p53, also known as TP53 or tumor protein (EC :2.7. 1.37) is a gene that codes for a protein that regulates the cell cycle and hence functions as a tumor suppression. It is very important for cells in multicellular organisms to suppress cancer.

What is p53 for kids?

TP53 and cancer TP53 is a gene that codes for a protein called p53 that plays an important role in cell cycle control and functions as a tumor suppressor. The name is due to its molecular mass: it is in the 53 kilodalton fraction of cell proteins. In normal cells, the p53 protein level is low.

What role does the p53 gene play in cancer defense?

p53, also known as a tumour suppressor protein, is a gene that codes for a protein found in the nucleus of all cells in the body that helps regulate normal cell growth and multiplication. It is also plays a critical role in suppressing tumours by inhibiting the division and growth of cells whose DNA has been damaged.

How p53 regulates the cell cycle?

P53 forms a homotetrameric transcription factor that is reported to directly regulate ~500 target genes, thereby controlling a broad range of cellular processes, including cell cycle arrest, cell senescence, DNA repair, metabolic adaptation and cell death.

Is p53 a tumor suppressor gene or oncogene?

The standard classification used to define the various cancer genes confines tumor protein p53 (TP53) to the role of a tumor suppressor gene. However, it is now an indisputable fact that many p53 mutants act as oncogenic proteins.

What genes does p53 regulate?

What does p53 do in apoptosis?

The p53 tumor suppressor acts to integrate multiple stress signals into a series of diverse antiproliferative responses. One of the most important p53 functions is its ability to activate apoptosis, and disruption of this process can promote tumor progression and chemoresistance.

What is the p53 gene and how does it relate to cancer?

A gene that makes a protein that is found inside the nucleus of cells and plays a key role in controlling cell division and cell death. Mutations (changes) in the p53 gene may cause cancer cells to grow and spread in the body.

What is p53 activated by?

The tumour suppressor protein p53 is stabilised and activated in response to ionising radiation. This is known to depend on the kinase ATM; recent results suggest ATM acts via the downstream kinase Chk2/hCds1, which stabilises p53 at least in part by direct phosphorylation of residue serine 20.

What chromosome is p53 gene on?

The results show that the human p53 gene is located on chromosome 17. In addition, Southern analysis of hybrids prepared from human cells containing a chromosome 17 translocation allowed regional localization of the human p53 gene to the most distal band on the short arm of this chromosome (17p13).

What is the p53 gene and why is it important in cancer?

The p53 gene (TP53) is a gene that is mutated in many cancers, and is the most common gene mutation found in cancer cells. The gene is a type of tumor suppressor gene that codes for a protein that inhibits the development and growth of tumors.

What happens to the p53 gene when it is mutated?

The p53 gene is a gene that codes for a protein that inhibits the development and growth of tumors (in addition to other functions). It is known as a tumor suppressor gene. If this gene is mutated-that is, altered in some way by either the environment or inheritance, damaged cells are allowed to survive, and ultimately, develop into cancer cells .

What happens if the p53 gene mutates?

The p53 gene is one of the key rule-enforcers. It is known as a ‘tumor suppressor’ because it is important in killing cells that have become potentially cancerous. If the p53 gene gets a damaging mutation, then p53 will stop doing it’s job to protect you from cancer.

What does mutation in p53 lead to?

In most cases, mutant p53 proteins are caused by a single mutation in one of the DNA building blocks, leading to a single amino acid substitution in the p53 protein. In addition to the loss of the normal p53 tumor-suppressing function, the substituted forms of p53 have also gained functions to promote cancer development in a more aggressive way.