The P53A tumor suppressor gene that is mutated in over 50% of cancers of all types. The p53 protein is a transcription factor that controls entry into the cell division cycle. Many signals about the health of a cell are relayed to the p53 protein. This results in a decision by the cell as to whether or not cell division should occur. If the cell is damaged and can not be repaired, the p53 protein is involved in triggering a chain of events that causes the cell to kill itself in a process termed apoptosis. Cells defective for p53 do not have these controls and tend to divide even when conditions are not favorable. Like all tumor suppressors, the p53 gene is normally involved in slowing or monitoring cell division. proteinOne of the four basic types of biomolecule. Proteins are polymers made up of strings of amino acids. Proteins serve many functions in organisms including transport of molecules, structure, cell adhesion and as signaling molecules such as hormones. Many transcription factors, including p53 and Rb are proteins. is known to prevent cancer. It is one of the best known and frequently studied cancer genes. So it may come as a surprise that when the P53 geneA stretch of DNA that leads to the production of an RNA. The RNA is produced during the process of transcription. This RNA can be used to guide the formation of a protein via translation or can be used directly in the cell. is too active, it can cause cancer.
In mice, activating P53 for a long time led to inflammationA reaction to tissue damage or invasion. Small blood vessels become leaky, leading to redness and swelling. Cells of the immune system migrate to the area and can release chemicals and proteins that cause damage to the structures/cells nearby. and conditions that favor the development of cancer - in this case, liver cancer.
It seems that the P53 activity is causing the death of many cells and the rise of stem cells which can then become cancerous.
One CAN have too much of a good thing!
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