Targeting p73--a potential approach in cancer treatment
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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Yeast As a Chassis for Developing Functional Assays to Study Human P53
Published on: August 4, 2019
1Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Bošković Institute, BijeniĊka 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. slade@irb.hr
Abstract:
The p53 family consists of three members: p53, p63 and p73. All three of them have a role in cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis. However, despite structural and partly functional similarity, there are striking differences in their functions and each of them has its own and unique identity. All three genes encode multiple variants with opposing functions in cancer development - full length transactivation forms with proapoptotic and antiproliferative functions, and dominant-negative transactivation-deficient forms with anti-apoptotic (oncogenic) functions. The functional interactions between family members are crucial to gain insight and understand their role in cancer biology. The discovery of p53/p73 network could have a major clinical impact in prognostic use and targeted drug design. In the current review we present the recent achievements in p73 research including very complex and sophisticated p73 regulation and response to DNA damage, and functional interactions among family members. We discuss how p73 has affected drug discovery. According to the p73 tumor suppressor function, we outline current aspects of anticancer therapy.
Insights
The p53 family, including p53, p63, and p73, plays roles in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Understanding their interactions, particularly the p53/p73 network, is key for cancer therapy and drug discovery.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The p53 family comprises p53, p63, and p73, sharing roles in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
- Despite similarities, each family member exhibits unique functions and encodes variants with opposing roles in cancer.
- Functional interactions within the p53 family are critical for understanding cancer development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in p73 research, focusing on its regulation, DNA damage response, and interactions with p53 and p63.
- To explore the impact of p73 on drug discovery and anticancer therapies.
- To highlight the clinical significance of the p53/p73 network in cancer prognosis and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent p73 research.
- Analysis of p73 regulation, DNA damage response pathways, and functional interactions.
- Discussion of p73's role in cancer development and therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- p73 exhibits complex regulation and a sophisticated response to DNA damage.
- Functional interactions among p53 family members are intricate and crucial.
- p73 variants have opposing roles, with full-length forms being pro-apoptotic and dominant-negative forms being oncogenic.
Conclusions:
- The p53/p73 network holds significant potential for cancer prognosis and targeted drug design.
- Understanding p73's tumor suppressor functions is vital for developing novel anticancer therapies.
- Recent research provides insights into p73's role in drug discovery and its implications for clinical practice.
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