Tumor protein p73 mRNA (TP73 mRNA)

Tumor protein p73 (TP73) mRNA is the transcript of the TP73 gene, a member of the p53 family of transcription factors that plays a vital role in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and neuronal development [1, 4]. The TP73 gene is characterized by its complex transcriptional regulation, utilizing two distinct promoters and extensive alternative splicing to produce multiple isoforms with diametrically opposed biological functions [2, 3]. The TAp73 isoforms function as tumor suppressors by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, whereas the DeltaNp73 isoforms act as oncogenes by inhibiting the activity of both p53 and TAp73 [2, 3]. In many human cancers, TP73 is frequently deregulated, often showing an overabundance of the oncogenic DeltaNp73 isoform relative to TAp73 [3]. Therapeutic targeting of TP73 mRNA focuses on restoring this balance, primarily through the use of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) designed to selectively silence DeltaNp73 or redirect splicing toward TAp73 [2]. This strategy is particularly promising for treating p53-deficient tumors, as p73 can bypass the loss of p53 to trigger programmed cell death [1, 2].

Other names

P73 mRNATumor protein 73 transcriptTP73 transcriptTumor protein p73

Targeting TP73 mRNA primarily involves the use of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) or siRNAs to selectively degrade oncogenic isoforms like DeltaNp73 or to modulate alternative splicing to favor the production of the tumor-suppressive TAp73 isoform [2]. Additionally, small molecules can indirectly influence p73 activity by inhibiting its degradation or blocking interactions with negative regulators such as MDM2 and MDMX [1, 3].