Restore Wild-Type Functions to P53 Mutants Using an RNA-Based Combinatorial Approach

摘要

The p53 protein is a transcription factor and a suppressor regulating the expression of a wide range of genes involved in apoptosis, growth control, and inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells in animal models. Mutations that inactivate the p53 gene are important steps in tumor progression and often affect the protein's DNA binding ability. Attempts were made to select RNA molecules that bind to human p53 protein or a small peptide from its carboxyl terminus to determine whether these could be used to alter the protein's ability to bind the p53 consensus DNA-binding sequence. These attempts were unsuccessful, however the experience gained will be applied to another somewhat easier targets involved in tumor growth.