p53 regulation orchestrates the TGF-beta response

摘要

Among its multiple functions, p53 is a critical regulator of TGF-beta responses. Sasai et al. (2008) now identify a new p53 inhibitory protein, XFDL156. During embryonic development, this factor is expressed in the ectoderm germ layer and maintains the pluripotency of ectodermal cells by inhibiting TGF-beta target genes that promote mesoderm specification.