Phosphorylation of p53 serine 15 increases interaction with CBP

p53 exerts its cell cycle regulatory effects through its ability to function as a sequence-specific DNA binding transcription factor. CREB-binding protein (CBP)/p300, through its interaction with the N terminus of p53, acts as a coactivator for p53 and increases the sequence-specific DNA-binding activity of p53 by acetylating its C terminus. The same N-terminal domain of p53 has recently been shown to be phosphorylated at Ser15 in response to gamma-irradiation. Remarkably, we now demonstrate that phosphorylation of p53 at Ser15 increases its ability to recruit CBP/p300. The increase in CBP/p300 binding was followed by an increase in the overall level of acetylation of the C terminus of p53. These results provide a mechanism for the activation of p53-regulated genes following DNA damage, through a signaling pathway linking p53 N-terminal kinase and C-terminal acetyltransferase activities.