A genomic map of p53 binding sites identifies novel p53 targets involved in an apoptotic network

The transcriptional activity of the p53 protein is central to its role in tumor suppression. Identification of the complete repertoire of p53-regulated genes is critical for dissecting the complexity of the p53 network. Although several different approaches have been used to characterize the p53 genetic program, we still lack a comprehensive molecular understanding of how p53 prevents cancer. Using a computational approach, we generated a genome-wide map of p53 binding sites (p53BS) to identify novel p53 target genes. We show that the presence of nearby p53BS can identify new proapoptotic members of the Bcl2 family. We show that p53 binds to p53BS identified in the BCL-G/BCL2L14 gene and that induction of this gene contributes to p53-mediated apoptosis. We found that p53 activates the COL18A1 gene encoding the precursor for the antiangiogenic factor endostatin. We also show that p53 up-regulates the MAP4K4 gene and activates the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway to drive apoptosis. Thus, unbiased mapping of the genomic landscape of p53BS provides a systematic and complementary approach to identify novel factors and connections in the p53 genetic network. Our study illustrates how systematic genomic approaches can identify binding sites that are functionally relevant for a p53 transcriptional program. The genetic link among p53, antiangiogenic factors, and the JNK signaling pathway adds new dimensions to understanding p53 function in highly connected genetic networks.