Method to rapidly identify critical p53 target genes that can be utilized for therapeutic intervention

摘要

The majority of human cancers inactivate the p53 tumor suppressor network, and consequently, p53 is one of the most studied proteins in cancer biology. Peering into the intricacies of the p53 network should provide insight into the etiology of cancer, which may lead to the identification of molecular targets for therapeutic intervention. p53 carries out its tumor suppressor functions by inducing potent biological outputs, such as programmed cell death, in cells destined for becoming cancerous. p53 is a transcription factor that can regulate expression of numerous genes. The present invention discloses a novel method of rapidly determining the critical p53 target genes that can be utilized for therapeutic intervention. Additionally, this invention discloses suppression of MCAK as a treatment of human cancers and other diseases where p53 levels are elevated.