The
p53 gene is a
gene that
codes for a
protein for
tumor suppression. It is very important for cells in [multicellular organism]
?s to suppress uncontrolled [cell division]
?. More than 50% of
tumors in
humans show a
mutation or deletion
? of the p53 gene.
Protein structure
The p53 protein consists of three units (or
domains):
- A domain that activates [transcription factor]?s.
- A domain that recognizes specific DNA sequences.
- A domain that recognized damaged DNA, such as misaligned base pairs or single-stranded DNA.
Mechanism
The p53 protein can regulate the cell in several ways:
- It can activate [DNA repair]? proteins when it recognizes damaged DNA.
- It can also hold the cell cycle at the G1/S regulation point on DNA damage recognition.
- It can initiate apoptosis, the programmed cell death, if the DNA damage proves to be irrepairable.