- p53 is a tumor suppressor and the mutations related to this protein are considered among the most important mutations in many forms of cancer. However, p53 targets have not been fully explored while some suggested their number to be around 2000 genes. (Until now, about 2000 different single amino-acid changes in p53 have been found.)
- Loss of p53 function has been mostly attributed to the hotspot mutations, which are thought to be related to more aggressive malignancies and could result in novel phenotypes in which increased metastasis and chemotherapeutic resistance could be included. However, researchers are not sure whether these phenotypes are limited to p53 hotspot mutations or not.
- Exact mechanism behind the upregulation of a number of novel potential p53 targets such as ARID3B, ARNT2, FHIT, KPNA2 and PARD6B, have to be worked further.
S Garritano, A Inga, F Gemignani and S Landi (2013). More targets, more pathways and more clues for mutant p53. Oncogenesis DOI: 10.1038/oncsis.2013.15