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Role Of p53 Gene in Cancer

What is p53 Gene?

The p53 is the gene that produces a protective protein named as tumor protein p53. The protein that p53 gives is found inside the nucleus of cells. P53 gene is essential in controlling cell division inside the human body and many more functions. But the role of p53 in cancer will be discussed here. The p53 genes help to avoid the growth of abnormal and cancerous cells inside the body. It also has many other benefits that we will find in this blog. Read the article until the end and share your experience with us.

Even though the gene helps prevent the growth of cancerous cells, but when these genes go through the mutation process, they itself cause cancer cells and make them spread in the body. Basically, the p53 gene is a type of tumor suppressor gene. And its other name is the TP53 gene. Here TP ( in TP53) refers to tumor protein, which prevents the growth of cells. Let us find more about the role of p53 in cancer.

What is its function?

Two types of genes cause cancer cells in the body. These two are oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. When both or any of the following one passes through the mutation process, it causes cancer. But p53 gene controls the growth of this cancer by preventing abnormal cells. Other commonly used names of p53 are listed below.

• Cellular tumor antigen p53
• Phosphoprotein p53
• Antigen NY-CO-13
• Transformation related protein 53 

How does it work?

Now that you have got well known about the function of the p53 gene, which is to prevent the growth of cancer cells. The question arises here is that how does it work? This is done by following a process called the gain of function. This process includes the following steps:

• Inducing resistance to cancer drugs
• Regulating metabolism. This will help to give cancer cells an advantage over normal cells.
• Promoting the spread of the tumor and enhancing its growth.
• Inhibiting the apoptosis of cancer cells
• Facilitating angiogenesis
• Inducing genomic stability.

Mutation of the p53 gene

The most common mutation found in the cancer cells is the mutation of the p53 gene. More than 50% of the total cancers include the p53 gene mutation in it. Now, the mutation is of two types. One is called Germline mutation, and the other one is known is Somatic Mutation. 

The germline mutation is present in the body since birth and affects every cell of the body. Genetic testing is now available to diagnose this mutation. 

On the other hand, the Somatic mutation is not present since birth but arises in the process of a cell becoming cancerous cell. In other words, during the conversion of the simple cell into a cancer cell, the somatic mutation is formed. 

That is how the p53 Gene is related to cancer. In the end, the cancers related to p53 are listed below:

• Bladder Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Brain Cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Colorectal Cancer
• Ovarian Cancer
• Osteosarcoma