title: The p53 gene family: control of cell proliferation and developmental programs.
abstract: For a quarter of a century the gene p53 has attracted close attention of scientists who deal with problems of carcinogenesis and maintenance of genetic stability. Multicellular organisms on our planet owe their rich evolution in many respects to the ability of this gene to protect cells from oncogenic transformation and harmful changes in DNA. A relatively recent discovery of structural p53 homologs, the genes p63 and p73, which seem to have more ancient roots, has roused keen interest in their function. Do they carry out oncosuppressor functions in partnership with p53 or do they possess their own specific functions? This review analyzes data on p53, p63, and p73 functional activity at the levels of the molecule, cell, and whole organism with the accent on examination of specific p63/p73 targets indicating a unique role of these genes in control of developmental processes.
authors.affiliation: Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia. morgunkova@yandex.ru
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Morgunkova
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics*; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008954:Models, Biological; D005810:Multigene Family; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000072160:Tumor Protein p73; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; C000606460:TP73 protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; C486419:Trp63 protein, mouse; C000606368:Trp73 protein, mouse; D000072160:Tumor Protein p73; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins