Skip to main content

P53

Meaning

P53, often referred to as the “guardian of the genome,” is a critical tumor suppressor protein encoded by the TP53 gene, playing a central role in maintaining cellular integrity and preventing the proliferation of damaged cells. This transcription factor is activated in response to various cellular stresses, including DNA damage, hypoxia, and oncogene activation, initiating a powerful cellular response that can lead to cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, or programmed cell death (apoptosis). Its function is absolutely essential for cancer prevention, and mutations in the TP53 gene are the most common genetic alterations found across human cancers. In the context of longevity, p53 activity must be tightly balanced, as hyperactivation can promote premature aging phenotypes.