Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Yeast As a Chassis for Developing Functional Assays to Study Human P53
14:57

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

Published on: August 4, 2019

p53 and stem cells: new developments and new concerns

Tongbiao Zhao1, Yang Xu

  • 1Section of Molecular Biology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0322, USA.

Trends in Cell Biology
|January 12, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The tumor suppressor p53 prevents genetic mutations and suppresses pluripotency. Its inactivation is crucial for induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), raising concerns about iPSC genomic stability and tumorigenecity.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Stem Cell Biology

Background:

  • The tumor suppressor p53 acts as the guardian of the genome, preventing genetic mutations by inducing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, or senescence in response to cellular stress.
  • Emerging research highlights p53's role in inhibiting pluripotency and cellular dedifferentiation processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of p53 as a barrier to pluripotency and cellular dedifferentiation.
  • To understand the implications of p53's function in the reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent studies on p53 function in embryonic stem cells and somatic cell reprogramming.
  • Analysis of the impact of p53 inactivation on the generation and characteristics of iPSCs.

Main Results:

  • p53 actively suppresses the self-renewal of embryonic stem cells following DNA damage.
  • p53 inhibits the reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
  • Inactivation of the p53 pathway appears necessary for successful cellular reprogramming.

Conclusions:

  • The findings suggest that p53 acts as a significant barrier to achieving pluripotency and dedifferentiation.
  • The necessity of p53 inactivation for reprogramming raises critical questions regarding the genomic stability and tumorigenic potential of iPSCs and their derivatives.
  • Further elucidation of p53's role may uncover mechanisms linking tumor suppression and aging.

More Related Videos

Modeling Osteosarcoma Using Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Patient-derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells08:52

Modeling Osteosarcoma Using Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Patient-derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: June 13, 2018

Targeted and Selective Treatment of Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Teratomas Using External Beam Radiation in a Small-animal Model05:08

Targeted and Selective Treatment of Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Teratomas Using External Beam Radiation in a Small-animal Model

Published on: February 17, 2019

Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:06

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic cells are...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:13

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells01:01

Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

All blood and immune cells are produced from the multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the process of hematopoiesis. However, they all have a limited life span. In addition, many are depleted in immune surveillance or combatting an injury or infection. This makes blood one of the most regenerative tissues. Hematopoiesis helps replenish these blood and immune cells, restoring the body's normal functioning. However, overproduction of blood and immune cells can make them cancerous or...