Multiple alternate p21 transcripts are regulated by p53 in human cells

The p53 tumor-suppressor is a transcription factor that is stabilized in response to cellular stress leading to growth arrest or apoptosis. p21(WAF1/CIP1) is a major transcriptional target of p53 and it plays a critical role in p53-dependent cell cycle arrest. In this study, we identified multiple alternate human p21 transcripts that have their transcriptional start sites in the direct proximity of the distal p53 response element. These transcripts are upregulated as a result of DNA damage-induced p53 activation. Furthermore, the basal expression of these alternate transcripts is strongly regulated by p53 and they are undetectable in p53-knocked down cells. This is in contrast to classical p21 transcripts, which have reduced, albeit detectable expression levels in the absence of p53. The existence of the alternate transcripts underscores the complexity of the human p21 genomic locus and opens up new avenues for further investigation.