Klin Onkol 2002; 15(3): 98-101.
Summary: Protein p53 plays a key role in inhibiton of the cell proliferation in response to various types of stress. The induced p53 protein triggers either growth arrest or apoptosis. p53 function is modulated by mechanisms including mutations as well as interactions with cellular and viral oncoproteins. The development of human cancers is frequently associated with the inactivation of p53-mediated biochemical pathways. Mutations are the most common mechanism of p53 inactivation in most human cancers. These findings led to designing of potential therapeutical approaches that using molecular biology methods reactivate p53 function in tumour cells lacking functional p53. These strategies could enhance the effectiveness of commonly used cancer therapies.
