P53 gene

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.