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TP53

gene
Also known as: p53 gene

Quick Summary

The TP53 gene is a crucial tumor suppressor gene. It encodes the p53 protein, which plays a vital role in regulating cell proliferation and preventing damaged cells from dividing. When DNA damage occurs, p53 can halt the cell cycle to allow for repair or trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis) if the damage is too severe.

A mutated or inactivated form of the TP53 gene is implicated in over 50 percent of all cancers. This inactivation means that cells with damaged DNA can continue to divide, and severely injured cells may not undergo apoptosis, leading to the accumulation of genetic errors and the development of tumors. The p53 protein was discovered in 1979, and its name derives from its molecular weight of 53 kilodaltons.123

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