P53 on the crossroad between regeneration and cancer

Meital Charni, Ronit Aloni-Grinstein, Alina Molchadsky, Varda Rotter*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

82 Scopus citations

Abstract

Regeneration and tumorigenesis share common molecular pathways, nevertheless the outcome of regeneration is life, whereas tumorigenesis leads to death. Although the process of regeneration is strictly controlled, malignant transformation is unrestrained. In this review, we discuss the involvement of TP53, the major tumor-suppressor gene, in the regeneration process. We point to the role of p53 as coordinator assuring that regeneration will not shift to carcinogenesis. The fluctuation in p53 activity during the regeneration process permits a tight control. On one hand, its inhibition at the initial stages allows massive proliferation, on the other its induction at advanced steps of regeneration is essential for preservation of robustness and fidelity of the regeneration process. A better understanding of the role of p53 in regulation of regeneration may open new opportunities for implementation of TP53-based therapies, currently available for cancer patients, in regenerative medicine.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8-14
Number of pages7
JournalCell Death and Differentiation
Volume24
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2017
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 The Author(s).

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'P53 on the crossroad between regeneration and cancer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this