TP53

TP53 (pronounced as T P fifty-three), also known as tumor protein p53, is a gene that codes for a protein that regulates the cell cycle and hence functions as a tumor suppressor. It is very important for cells in multicellular organisms to suppress cancer.

Etymology

The name TP53 is derived from its molecular mass, tumor protein (TP), and 53 kilodaltons (kDa). The p53 protein is crucial in multicellular organisms, where it prevents cancer formation, thus, functions as a tumor suppressor.

Function

The TP53 gene provides instructions for making a protein called tumor protein p53. This protein acts as a tumor suppressor, which means it regulates cell division by keeping cells from growing and dividing too rapidly or in an uncontrolled way.

Related Terms

• Cell cycle
• Tumor suppressor
• Cancer
• Multicellular organisms
• Gene
• Protein

Mutations

Mutations in the TP53 gene are the most common alterations in human cancers. TP53 mutations are found in approximately 50% of human cancers. They are frequently associated with resistance to anti-cancer drugs and poor prognosis.

See Also

• Oncogene
• Carcinogenesis
• DNA repair

References

• TP53 gene - Gene - NCBI
• TP53 gene - Genetics Home Reference - NIH

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