P53 Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers about P53.

What is p53 ?
p53 is a gene which codes for a protein found in the nucleus of every cell in the human body and many other species.

What does it do?
The p53 protein's main role is to prevent cancer cells evolving.

How does it suppress cancer?
p53 both stops damaged cells dividing and may encourage such cells to suicide.

What happens if my p53 is damaged?
If your p53 is damaged, it may be repaired. Otherwise the risk of long term change in particular tissues is increased.

How do you know this?
Recent medical research has shown that p53 is damaged in a very specific way in about 60% of people who smoke and develop lung cancer. A chemical in cigarette smoke damages p53. (4) That has been proven beyond doubt.

Is there a simple test for damaged p53 ?
No, not yet.

What can I do to protect myself?
Quit smoking.

References

1. Nature 1992;358:15-16
2. Cancer Research 1994;54:4855-4878
3. British Journal of Cancer 1994;69:409-416.
4. Science 1996;274:430-432.

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