EP53-retro9

EP53-retro9 is a specific retrogene of the elephant TP53 (p53) tumor suppressor gene. Elephants possess one ancestral TP53 gene and 19 retrogenes, which are thought to contribute to their low cancer rates despite their large size and long lifespan (Peto's Paradox). EP53-retro9 has been studied for its ability to induce apoptosis in human cancer cells, including osteosarcoma, glioblastoma, and breast cancer lines. In preclinical research, expression of EP53-retro9, often in combination with DNA-damaging agents like doxorubicin, has shown significant enhancement of caspase activity and cell death, even in cells with mutated or MDM2-overexpressing p53 backgrounds. It is being explored as a potential basis for novel cancer therapeutics.

Other names

elephant p53 retrogene 9elephant TP53 retrogene 9