Definition for Protein 53
From Biology Forums Dictionary
p53 a tumor suppressor protein that in humans is encoded by the TP53 gene. It regulates the cell cycle and, thus, functions as a tumor suppressor that is involved in preventing cancer. p53 becomes activated in response to a myriad of stress types, which include but are not limited to DNA damage (induced by either UV, IR, or chemical agents such as hydrogen peroxide), oxidative stress,[23] osmotic shock, ribonucleotide depletion, and deregulated oncogene expression. p53 has many mechanisms of anticancer function, and plays a role in apoptosis, genomic stability, and inhibition of angiogenesis. It can:
*activate DNA repair proteins when DNA has sustained damage
*can induce growth arrest by holding the cell cycle at the G1/S regulation point on DNA damage recognition (if it holds the cell
here for long enough, the DNA repair proteins will have time to fix the damage and the cell will be allowed to continue the cell
cycle)
*It can initiate apoptosis, the programmed cell death, if DNA damage proves to be irreparable
Anything else anyone can elaborate on please feel free :D