TP53 is the most studied and important genes present in our genome which codes for p53. p53 is one of the three sisters, as they say, along with p63 and p73. All these proteins are the transcription factors which regulate the expression of the required protein appropriate for situation in the cell. But unlike other siblings, p53 has shorter half life because of absence of the stabilizing domain. P53 is tumor suppressor or stress responder, they are ultimate protector of integrity of our somatic genome. Thus it’s a major fidelity factor in the cell. p53 acts as a tumor suppressor, which means that it regulates cell division by keeping cells from growing and dividing too fast or in an uncontrolled way. But it’s not that simple as it sounds, it’s a key player in so many cellular pathways that defining its role gets difficult.
Tumor protein p53 is located in the nucleus of cells throughout the body, where it binds directly to DNA. When the DNA in a cell becomes damaged by agents such as toxic chemicals, radiation, or ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight, this protein plays a critical role in determining whether the DNA will be repaired or the damaged cell will self-destruct (undergo apoptosis). If the DNA can be repaired, p53 activates other genes to fix the damage. If the DNA cannot be repaired, this protein prevents the cell from dividing and signals it to undergo apoptosis. This process prevents cells with mutated or damaged DNA from dividing, which helps prevent the development of tumors. Because p53 is essential for regulating cell division and preventing tumor formation, it has been rightly nicknamed as the "guardian of the genome."
This family of gene has been conserved for billions of years seen from invertebrates to vertebrates. This conservation is obliviously due to its function and protection against all kind of stress. Thus it becomes an evolutionary advantageous as stress is the thing which all beings should be able to handle without compromising the fidelity of their genome. Thus this family has been incharge of fidelity through billion years of evolutionary history. In this process, p63/73 became germline fedility factor while p53 became a somatic fedility factor.
Huge amount of research is been done in this field giving insight into overall working of this family. I think this research will open to us to vast realms of therapeutics for range of diseases.
Tumor protein p53 is located in the nucleus of cells throughout the body, where it binds directly to DNA. When the DNA in a cell becomes damaged by agents such as toxic chemicals, radiation, or ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight, this protein plays a critical role in determining whether the DNA will be repaired or the damaged cell will self-destruct (undergo apoptosis). If the DNA can be repaired, p53 activates other genes to fix the damage. If the DNA cannot be repaired, this protein prevents the cell from dividing and signals it to undergo apoptosis. This process prevents cells with mutated or damaged DNA from dividing, which helps prevent the development of tumors. Because p53 is essential for regulating cell division and preventing tumor formation, it has been rightly nicknamed as the "guardian of the genome."
This family of gene has been conserved for billions of years seen from invertebrates to vertebrates. This conservation is obliviously due to its function and protection against all kind of stress. Thus it becomes an evolutionary advantageous as stress is the thing which all beings should be able to handle without compromising the fidelity of their genome. Thus this family has been incharge of fidelity through billion years of evolutionary history. In this process, p63/73 became germline fedility factor while p53 became a somatic fedility factor.
Huge amount of research is been done in this field giving insight into overall working of this family. I think this research will open to us to vast realms of therapeutics for range of diseases.
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