Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Two- and Three-Dimensional Live Cell Imaging of DNA Damage Response Proteins
10:24

Two- and Three-Dimensional Live Cell Imaging of DNA Damage Response Proteins

Published on: September 28, 2012

A p53 amino-terminal nuclear export signal inhibited by DNA damage-induced phosphorylation

Y Zhang1, Y Xiong

  • 1Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and Program in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295, USA.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|June 9, 2001
PubMed

Insights

The tumor suppressor p53 protein

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The p53 protein is a crucial tumor suppressor.
  • MDM2 negatively regulates p53 activity through inhibition and degradation.
  • Understanding p53 regulation is vital for cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify novel regulatory mechanisms of p53.
  • To investigate the role of p53 phosphorylation in its regulation.
  • To elucidate how DNA damage impacts p53 localization and activity.

Main Methods:

  • Identification of a novel nuclear export signal (NES) in p53.
  • Phosphorylation site analysis of p53 residues.
  • Investigation of p53 nuclear export dynamics following DNA damage.

Main Results:

  • A novel N-terminal NES (residues 11-27) in p53 was identified.
  • This NES contains two serine residues phosphorylated upon DNA damage.
  • Phosphorylation of Serine-15 in p53, induced by UV irradiation, inhibited nuclear export.
  • DNA damage-induced phosphorylation of p53 may prevent its export and MDM2 binding.

Conclusions:

  • DNA damage-induced phosphorylation of p53 inhibits its nuclear export.
  • This inhibition, along with reduced MDM2 binding, contributes to optimal p53 activation.
  • These findings reveal a new layer of p53 regulation critical for cellular response to DNA damage.

More Related Videos

Yeast As a Chassis for Developing Functional Assays to Study Human P5314:57

Yeast As a Chassis for Developing Functional Assays to Study Human P53

Published on: August 4, 2019

Detection of Aggregation-Prone Behavior in Mutant P53 V157F Breast Cancer Cells Using Multipoint Thioflavin T Fluorescence04:56

Detection of Aggregation-Prone Behavior in Mutant P53 V157F Breast Cancer Cells Using Multipoint Thioflavin T Fluorescence

Published on: December 30, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Nucleotide Excision Repair01:08

Nucleotide Excision Repair

Overview
Nucleotide Excision Repair01:08

Nucleotide Excision Repair

Overview
DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle02:36

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Nucleotide Excision Repair01:38

Nucleotide Excision Repair

DNA Distortion and Damage
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle02:36

DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...