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Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Yeast As a Chassis for Developing Functional Assays to Study Human P53
Published on: August 4, 2019
New plays in the p53 theater
1Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rechovot 76100, Israel.
Abstract:
The p53 tumor suppressor and its paralogs p63 and p73 are at the crux of a network modulating cellular responses against potentially tumorigenic events. p53 acts primarily as a transcription factor, regulating the expression of both coding and non-coding RNAs, as well as the activity of RNA processing complexes. In line with their anti-tumorigenic function, p53 and p63 have recently been implicated in restricting tumor cell invasion. In parallel, a growing number of non-canonical target genes have been added to the p53 repertoire. These include genes encoding for proteins that impinge on a broad spectrum of cellular functions, from cell metabolism to stem cell renewal. The p53 story is still far from being fully told.
Insights
The p53 tumor suppressor network, including p53, p63, and p73, regulates cellular responses to prevent tumors. These proteins act as transcription factors, influencing gene expression and RNA processing to inhibit cancer progression and invasion.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Genetics
Background:
- The p53 protein family (p53, p63, p73) plays a critical role in tumor suppression.
- These proteins function as transcription factors, regulating gene expression and RNA processing.
- Emerging evidence highlights their involvement in non-canonical pathways beyond traditional tumor suppression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the multifaceted roles of the p53 network in cellular responses to tumorigenic stress.
- To explore the non-canonical functions of p53, p63, and p73 in cellular processes.
- To underscore the ongoing discoveries and complexity of the p53 tumor suppressor network.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of current literature on p53, p63, and p73 functions.
- Analysis of gene expression data related to p53 targets.
- Investigation of p53's role in RNA regulation and processing.
Main Results:
- The p53 network modulates cellular responses against tumorigenic events.
- p53 and its paralogs are involved in regulating both coding and non-coding RNAs.
- p53 and p63 demonstrate anti-tumorigenic functions by restricting tumor cell invasion.
- Non-canonical target genes regulated by p53 impact diverse cellular functions, including metabolism and stem cell renewal.
Conclusions:
- The p53 network is a complex regulator of cellular responses with critical roles in tumor suppression.
- Beyond its canonical functions, p53 influences a wide array of cellular processes through non-canonical targets.
- The full scope of p53's functions in cancer and cellular biology is still under active investigation.
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