p53: emerging roles in stem cells, development and beyond

Abhinav K Jain1, Michelle Craig Barton1

  • 1Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Center for Stem Cell and Development Biology, Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA ajain@mdanderson.org mbarton@mdanderson.org.

Development (Cambridge, England)
|April 15, 2018
PubMed

Insights

The tumor suppressor p53 protein is crucial in cancer, but its roles in mammalian development and cell differentiation are now being uncovered. Recent research highlights these complementary functions, expanding our understanding beyond cancer suppression.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Mutations in the p53 gene are prevalent in human cancers.
  • p53 is extensively studied for its tumor suppressor functions.
  • p53's roles in mammalian development and cell differentiation have been historically under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in understanding p53 functions in mammalian development.
  • To highlight the significance and mechanisms of p53 in cell differentiation.
  • To present a comprehensive view of p53's roles, complementing its known tumor suppressor functions.

Main Methods:

  • Genomic profiling of embryonic stem cells.
  • Literature review of recent findings on p53.
  • Analysis of p53's involvement in cell differentiation and development.

Main Results:

  • Genomic studies reveal novel p53 functions in embryonic stem cells.
  • p53 plays significant roles in mammalian cell differentiation.
  • These developmental roles complement p53's established tumor suppressor activities.

Conclusions:

  • Recent findings underscore the importance of p53 in development.
  • p53's functions extend beyond tumor suppression to critical developmental processes.
  • A broader understanding of p53 is emerging, integrating its roles in both cancer and development.

Related Concept Videos

Zygotic Development And Stem Cell Formation01:10

Zygotic Development And Stem Cell Formation

The development of all multicellular organisms starts with the fusion of haploid cells called sperm and egg to form a diploid zygote. A zygote is a totipotent cell that can develop into a complete organism. The zygote undergoes cell division or cleavage to form an 8-cell mass. Until this stage, the cells are spherical, loosely attached, and remain totipotent. Totipotent cells are capable of developing both the embryonic and the extraembryonic tissues. However, as they continue to divide, they...
6.8K
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:12

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
2.5K
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:22

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
2.7K
Emerging Adulthood01:27

Emerging Adulthood

Jeffrey Arnett's concept of emerging adulthood offers a framework to understand the unique developmental stage between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood, generally from ages 18 to 25. This period is marked by extensive exploration and shifts in identity, relationships, and career choices, a process known in psychology as role experimentation. Emerging adulthood reflects the evolving cultural expectations surrounding adulthood and the dynamic process of personal transformation during...
725
Adult Stem Cells01:33

Adult Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce more stem cells or progenitor cells that differentiate into mature, specialized cell types. All the cells in the body are generated from stem cells in the early embryo, but small populations of stem cells are also present in many adult tissues including the bone marrow, brain, skin, and gut. These adult stem cells typically produce the various cell types found in that tissue—to replace cells that are damaged or to continuously...
33.9K
Embryonic Stem Cells00:58

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
32.6K