Cellular functions of p53 and p53 gene family members p63 and p73

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p53 is a transcription factor that regulates multiple cellular processes that are also important in cellular fates such as cell cycle arrest or programmed cell death. Induction of growth arrest or cell death by p53 prevents the replication of damaged DNA and proliferation of genetically abnormal cells. Therefore, inactivation of p53 by mutation or deletion is also important in ensuring the cellular homeostasis. However, studies showed that p53 deficient mice and cells such as Saos-2 cells are maintaining their life. This situation suggests that p53-related proteins might compensate the functions of p53 in p53 deficient organisms. The identification of two p53-related proteins, p63 and p73 revealed the transcription of p53 responsive genes in p53 deficient organisms. Both p63 and p73 proteins have high homology with the p53 protein and share some of the functions of p53. In contrast to p53, p63 and p73 rarely mutated in human cancers. Here we studied to summarize the current information about the p53 and other p53-related proteins, p63 and p73 that are included into the p53 gene family.

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p53 , p63 , p73 , cell cycle , gene family

Dicle Medical Journal

535

Dicle Medical Journal