P53 Signaling Pathway

P53 has been found most associated with human tumors of all genes. P53 mutations occur in the vast majority of tumor cells and in more than 50% of all malignant tumors. The protein encoded by this gene is a transcription factor that controls the initiation of the cell cycle. Many signals about cellular health are sent to P53 protein and it determines whether the cell enter a division cycle. P53 is a tumor suppressor protein that regulates the expression of a variety of genes, including apoptosis, growth inhibition, cell cycle progression inhibition, differentiation and acceleration of DNA repair, genotoxicity, and aging after cellular stress. Like all other tumor suppressors, P53 gene plays a slowing or monitoring role in cell division under normal conditions. In addition, P53 triggers apoptosis pathways only as a transcription factor which is independent from its activity.