Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 27, 2025
14:57
Yeast As a Chassis for Developing Functional Assays to Study Human P53
Published on: August 4, 2019
9.6K
p53 amyloid aggregation in cancer: function, mechanism, and therapy
Jingzhi Li1,2, Ming Guo1, Lin Chen3
1Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics & State Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Anticancer Drugs, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
Experimental Hematology & Oncology
|September 28, 2022
Summary
Tumor suppressor p53 can form prion-like aggregates, similar to neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding p53 aggregation mechanisms and targeting it may offer new cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The tumor suppressor protein p53 plays a critical role in cancer suppression.
- Emerging evidence suggests p53 exhibits prion-like behavior, forming pathological aggregates in tumors.
- This aggregation is analogous to mechanisms observed in neurodegenerative diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms underlying p53 prion-like aggregation in tumors.
- To discuss the structural characteristics, functional effects, and pathogenic roles of p53 aggregation.
- To summarize current therapeutic strategies targeting p53 aggregation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on p53 aggregation mechanisms, structure, and function.
- Analysis of factors influencing p53 aggregation, including mutations and cellular conditions.
- Compilation of data on inhibitors targeting p53 aggregation and prion-like behavior.
Main Results:
- p53 aggregation is influenced by its mutation, domains, isoforms, and environmental factors like Zn2+ concentration, pH, and temperature.
- Pathological p53 aggregation can lead to functional alterations, impacting tumor progression.
- Controversies and ongoing research exist regarding the precise role and mechanisms of p53 aggregation in cancer.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive understanding of p53 aggregation is crucial for elucidating its loss of physiological function in cancer.
- Targeting p53 aggregation represents a potential novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
4.6K
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...
4.6K
03:03Amyloid Fibrils
9.7K
Amyloid fibrils are aggregates of misfolded proteins. Under most circumstances, misfolded proteins are either refolded by chaperone proteins or degraded by the proteasome. However, in the case of a mutation or a disease, these proteins can accumulate to form large clusters and often further assemble to form elongated fibers, called fibrils.
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining,...
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining,...
9.7K
02:04Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
6.9K
Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
6.9K
01:19Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
6.4K
Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
6.4K
01:23Negative Regulator Molecules
35.7K
Positive regulators allow a cell to advance through cell cycle checkpoints. Negative regulators have an equally important role as they terminate a cell’s progression through the cell cycle—or pause it—until the cell meets specific criteria.
35.7K
02:37DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle
9.3K
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...
9.3K