DNA Damage Response: Catching a Break Before Cells Go Bad

摘要

The gene called p53 is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancers. It starts a process that usually results in programmed cell death, or apoptosis, which keeps potential cancers in check. The big question has been, what triggers this tumor-supression gene? What is it about rapidly dividing pre-cancerous cells—but not normal cells—that brings p53 into play? A likely answer is provided by the two papers at #4 and #5. It seems to be something other than p53 alone, namely the DNA damage response.