Some facts and thoughts: p73 as a tumor suppressor gene in the network of tumor suppressors.
The question of whether p73 is a tumor suppressor gene, is not yet answered with full confidence. The lack of spontaneous tumor formation in p73 null mice and infrequent p73 mutations seen in a variety of cancers analyzed would straightaway negate its role as a primary tumor suppressor gene. However, accumulating evidence suggest that p73 gene and its target genes are hypermethylated in the cancer of lymphoid origin. Here I discuss some facts and thoughts that support the idea that p73 could still be a tumor suppressor gene. The tumor suppressor network in which p73 appears to be a participant involves E2F1, JunB, INK4a/p16, ARF/p19, p57kip2 and BRCA1. Knock out of each gene in E2F-1-p73-JunB-p16INK4a network of tumor suppressor proteins result in lymphoma/leukemia formation. Further, I tried to explain why lymphomas are not seen in p73 null mice and why p73 gene is not prone to frequent mutation.
Boominathan
Lakshmanane
L
Murungapakkam, Pondicherry-4, India. boominathan.lakshmanane@gmail.com
D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000072160:Tumor Protein p73; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C000606460:TP73 protein, human; C000606368:Trp73 protein, mouse; D000072160:Tumor Protein p73; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins