Tumor promotion by Mdm2 splice variants unable to bind p53
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Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Yeast As a Chassis for Developing Functional Assays to Study Human P53
Published on: August 4, 2019
Jordan S Fridman1, Eva Hernando, Michael T Hemann
1Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA.
Abstract:
The Mdm2 oncoprotein physically associates with p53 and antagonizes its tumor suppressor functions. Previous studies indicate that some tumors express alternatively or aberrantly spliced Mdm2 variants that are unable to bind p53, but whether these actively contribute to carcinogenesis or are a byproduct of cancer progression has been unclear. In this study, we examined the ability of full-length Mdm2 and several tumor-derived splice variants to modulate tumor development in E micro -myc transgenic mice. We report that several tumor-derived Mdm2 splice variants promote tumorigenesis in a manner that is comparable with full-length Mdm2. Our results imply that the current paradigm for understanding Mdm2 action during oncogenesis is incomplete, and its splice variants contribute to human cancer.
Insights
Tumor-derived Mdm2 splice variants promote cancer development similarly to full-length Mdm2. These findings suggest Mdm2 splice variants play a significant role in human cancer, expanding our understanding of oncogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Oncogenesis
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Genetics
Background:
- The Mdm2 oncoprotein inhibits the tumor suppressor p53.
- The role of alternatively or aberrantly spliced Mdm2 variants in cancer is not fully understood.
- It remains unclear if Mdm2 splice variants actively contribute to carcinogenesis or are merely byproducts of cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of full-length Mdm2 and its tumor-derived splice variants in tumor development.
- To determine if Mdm2 splice variants actively contribute to oncogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing Eμ-myc transgenic mouse models.
- Assessing the impact of full-length Mdm2 and various tumor-derived Mdm2 splice variants on tumorigenesis.
Main Results:
- Several tumor-derived Mdm2 splice variants were found to promote tumorigenesis.
- The pro-tumorigenic activity of these Mdm2 splice variants was comparable to that of full-length Mdm2.
Conclusions:
- The current understanding of Mdm2's role in oncogenesis is incomplete.
- Mdm2 splice variants actively contribute to human cancer development.
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