Oncogene-Induced Senescence Pathways Weave an Intricate Tapestry

The induction of cellular senescence by activated oncogenes acts as a barrier to cell transformation. Now, identify a key component of a senescence pathway that prevents tumorigenesis in a mouse model of skin cancer. They show that the p38-regulated/activated protein kinase (PRAK) induces senescence downstream of oncogenic Ras by directly phosphorylating and activating the tumor-suppressor protein p53.