p53 tumor suppressor protein

The p53 tumor suppressor protein, encoded by the TP53 gene, is a critical nuclear transcription factor that regulates cell division and maintains genomic stability. It is often referred to as the "guardian of the genome" due to its essential role in preventing uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumor development. Upon activation by cellular stress signals such as DNA damage or oncogene activation, p53 induces cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, or senescence to prevent the accumulation of oncogenic mutations. TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancers, and mutations often result in loss-of-function or gain-of-function phenotypes that contribute to tumorigenesis.

Other names

TP53Tumor protein p53

MDM2 inhibitors (e.g., Nutlin-3) disrupt p53-MDM2 interaction, stabilizing and activating p53. Some compounds directly target mutant p53 to restore its function or induce its degradation.