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Yeast As a Chassis for Developing Functional Assays to Study Human P53
Published on: August 4, 2019
P53 tumor suppression network in cancer epigenetics
Alok Mishra1, Daniel J Brat, Mukesh Verma
1Urologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
Abstract:
The tumor suppressor p53 is one of the most complex and widely studied genes in cancer biology. In spite of the vast on literature the transcriptional regulation of p53, aspects of its especially epigenetic regulation are not completely understood. This chapter presents a concise overview of p53-related epigenetic events involved in oncogenesis and tumor suppression. We limit the scope to epigenetic modifications of the p53 promoter per se as well as its well-established downstream targets. The indirect role of p53 affecting the epigenetic machinery of cancer cells via specific proteins and transcription factors is discussed. Current concepts of p53-related cancer epigenetics offer myriad avenues for cancer therapies. Challenges in the field are also discussed.
Insights
The tumor suppressor p53 gene
Area of Science:
- Cancer Biology
- Epigenetics
- Molecular Oncology
Background:
- The tumor suppressor p53 is a critical gene in cancer biology, yet its epigenetic regulation remains incompletely understood.
- While transcriptional regulation of p53 is extensively studied, epigenetic mechanisms influencing its function are less clear.
- Understanding these epigenetic aspects is crucial for deciphering p53's role in oncogenesis and tumor suppression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a concise overview of p53-related epigenetic events in cancer.
- To explore epigenetic modifications of the p53 promoter and its downstream targets.
- To discuss the indirect influence of p53 on the epigenetic machinery of cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on epigenetic modifications.
- Analysis of epigenetic events at the p53 promoter.
- Examination of epigenetic changes in p53 downstream targets.
- Discussion of p53's indirect effects via protein and transcription factor interactions.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic modifications of the p53 promoter and its target genes are involved in cancer.
- p53 influences cancer epigenetics indirectly through interactions with other cellular factors.
- These p53-related epigenetic mechanisms present potential therapeutic targets.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic regulation of p53 and its targets plays a significant role in cancer development.
- p53's indirect modulation of the epigenetic landscape is a key factor in oncogenesis.
- Targeting p53-related epigenetic events offers promising avenues for novel cancer therapies.
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