Genetics Department Seminar Series: "Regulating the p53 Tumor Suppressor Pathway"

p53 is a potent tumor suppressor that is disabled in the majority of cancers by multiple mechanisms that include deletions/mutations of p53 and over production of two potent p53 inhibitors Mdm2 and Mdm4. p53 is exquisitely regulated by Mdm proteins in vivo. Mdm proteins also regulate the stability of mutant p53 proteins, the increased stability of which leads to aggressive tumor cell behaviors by various mechanisms. Knowledge of the in vivo consequences of mutant p53 activities in somatic and germline cancers will reveal vulnerabilities that may impact cancer treatment.