BIOMAT Database Logo BIOMAT Database Logo

Introduction: p53--the first twenty years. 1999

M Oren, and V Rotter
Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. lioren@wiccmail.weizmann.ac.il

The p53 protein was discovered 20 years ago, as a cellular protein tightly bound to the large T oncoprotein of the SV40 DNA tumour virus. Since then, research on p53 has developed in many exciting and sometimes unexpected directions. p53 is now known to be the product of a major tumour suppressor gene that is the most common target for genetic alterations in human cancer. The nonmutated wild-type p53 protein (wtp53) is often found within cells in a latent state and is activated in response to various intracellular and extracellular signals. Activation involves an increase in overall p53 protein levels, as well as qualitative changes in the protein. Upon activation, wtp53 can induce a variety of cellular responses, most notable among which are cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. To a great extent, these effects are mediated by the ability of p53 to activate specific target genes. In addition, the p53 protein itself possesses biochemical functions which may facilitate DNA repair as well as apoptosis. The role of p53 in normal development and particularly in carcinogenesis has been elucidated in depth through the use of mouse model systems. The insights provided by p53 research over the years are now beginning to be utilized towards better diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009369 Neoplasms New abnormal growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms show a greater degree of anaplasia and have the properties of invasion and metastasis, compared to benign neoplasms. Benign Neoplasm,Cancer,Malignant Neoplasm,Tumor,Tumors,Benign Neoplasms,Malignancy,Malignant Neoplasms,Neoplasia,Neoplasm,Neoplasms, Benign,Cancers,Malignancies,Neoplasias,Neoplasm, Benign,Neoplasm, Malignant,Neoplasms, Malignant
D002453 Cell Cycle The complex series of phenomena, occurring between the end of one CELL DIVISION and the end of the next, by which cellular material is duplicated and then divided between two daughter cells. The cell cycle includes INTERPHASE, which includes G0 PHASE; G1 PHASE; S PHASE; and G2 PHASE, and CELL DIVISION PHASE. Cell Division Cycle,Cell Cycles,Cell Division Cycles,Cycle, Cell,Cycle, Cell Division,Cycles, Cell,Cycles, Cell Division,Division Cycle, Cell,Division Cycles, Cell
D005786 Gene Expression Regulation Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation. Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D016147 Genes, Tumor Suppressor Genes that inhibit expression of the tumorigenic phenotype. They are normally involved in holding cellular growth in check. When tumor suppressor genes are inactivated or lost, a barrier to normal proliferation is removed and unregulated growth is possible. Antioncogenes,Cancer Suppressor Genes,Emerogenes,Genes, Cancer Suppressor,Genes, Growth Suppressor,Genes, Metastasis Suppressor,Growth Suppressor Genes,Metastasis Suppressor Genes,Tumor Suppressor Genes,Anti-Oncogenes,Genes, Onco-Suppressor,Oncogenes, Recessive,Tumor Suppressing Genes,Anti Oncogenes,Anti-Oncogene,Antioncogene,Cancer Suppressor Gene,Emerogene,Gene, Cancer Suppressor,Gene, Growth Suppressor,Gene, Metastasis Suppressor,Gene, Onco-Suppressor,Gene, Tumor Suppressing,Gene, Tumor Suppressor,Genes, Onco Suppressor,Genes, Tumor Suppressing,Growth Suppressor Gene,Metastasis Suppressor Gene,Onco-Suppressor Gene,Onco-Suppressor Genes,Oncogene, Recessive,Recessive Oncogene,Recessive Oncogenes,Suppressor Gene, Cancer,Suppressor Gene, Growth,Suppressor Gene, Metastasis,Suppressor Genes, Cancer,Suppressor Genes, Growth,Suppressor Genes, Metastasis,Tumor Suppressing Gene,Tumor Suppressor Gene
D016159 Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 Nuclear phosphoprotein encoded by the p53 gene (GENES, P53) whose normal function is to control CELL PROLIFERATION and APOPTOSIS. A mutant or absent p53 protein has been found in LEUKEMIA; OSTEOSARCOMA; LUNG CANCER; and COLORECTAL CANCER. p53 Tumor Suppressor Protein,Cellular Tumor Antigen p53,Oncoprotein p53,TP53 Protein,TRP53 Protein,p53 Antigen,pp53 Phosphoprotein,Phosphoprotein, pp53
D017209 Apoptosis A regulated cell death mechanism characterized by distinctive morphologic changes in the nucleus and cytoplasm, including the endonucleolytic cleavage of genomic DNA, at regularly spaced, internucleosomal sites, i.e., DNA FRAGMENTATION. It is genetically programmed and serves as a balance to mitosis in regulating the size of animal tissues and in mediating pathologic processes associated with tumor growth. Apoptosis, Extrinsic Pathway,Apoptosis, Intrinsic Pathway,Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis,Classic Apoptosis,Classical Apoptosis,Programmed Cell Death,Programmed Cell Death, Type I,Apoptoses, Extrinsic Pathway,Apoptoses, Intrinsic Pathway,Apoptosis, Caspase-Dependent,Apoptosis, Classic,Apoptosis, Classical,Caspase Dependent Apoptosis,Cell Death, Programmed,Classic Apoptoses,Extrinsic Pathway Apoptoses,Extrinsic Pathway Apoptosis,Intrinsic Pathway Apoptoses,Intrinsic Pathway Apoptosis

Related Publications

M Oren, and V Rotter
Rituximab - The first twenty years.
March 2021, Lupus,
M Oren, and V Rotter
The first twenty-five years.
January 1966, The American orthoptic journal,
M Oren, and V Rotter
ERCP--the first twenty years.
January 1988, Gastrointestinal endoscopy,
M Oren, and V Rotter
Introduction. Taxonomy for the twenty-first century.
April 2004, Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences,
M Oren, and V Rotter
Phosphodiesterase after twenty years: an introduction.
January 1984, Advances in cyclic nucleotide and protein phosphorylation research,
M Oren, and V Rotter
Twenty-five years of progress: introduction.
January 1959, The American journal of digestive diseases,
M Oren, and V Rotter
AAVLD: the first twenty-six years.
January 2008, Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc,
M Oren, and V Rotter
Masculinity in the twenty-first century: an introduction.
January 2006, Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association,
M Oren, and V Rotter
Twenty-one years later: Twenty-first century rehabilitation.
January 2008, Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicine,
M Oren, and V Rotter
Introduction: the first 100 years.
October 2005, Epidemiology and infection,
Copied contents to your clipboard!