Biological and clinical role of p73 in neuroblastoma.
The p73 gene is a p53 homologue localized at 1p36.3, a chromosomal region frequently deleted in neuroblastoma. p73 was originally considered an oncosuppressor gene. However, it was soon realized that its mode of action did not resemble that of a classic anti-oncogene. The recent discovery of N-terminal truncated isoforms, with oncogenic properties, showed that p73 has a 'two in one' structure. Indeed, the full-length variants are strong inducers of apoptosis while the truncated isoforms inhibit the pro-apoptotic activity of p53 and of the full-length p73. This review summarizes some aspects of p73 biology with particular reference to its possible role in neuroblastoma.
Romani
M
M
Laboratory of Tumor Genetics, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro (IST), Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy. massimo.romani@istge.it
Tonini
G P
GP
Banelli
B
B
Allemanni
G
G
Mazzocco
K
K
Scaruffi
P
P
Boni
L
L
Ponzoni
M
M
Pagnan
G
G
Raffaghello
L
L
Ferrini
S
S
Croce
M
M
Casciano
I
I
D017398:Alternative Splicing; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D000072160:Tumor Protein p73; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C000606460:TP73 protein, human; D000072160:Tumor Protein p73; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins