p53 Tumor Suppressor Protein Antibody

p53 binds to a DNA consensus sequence, the p53 response element, and it regulates normal cell growth cycle events by activating transcription of genes, involved either in progression through the cycle, or causing arrest in G1 when the genome is damaged. In most transformed and tumor cells the concentration of p53 is increased 51000 fold over the minute concentrations (1000 molecules cell) in normal cells, principally due to the increased half-life (4 h) compared to that of the wild-type (20 min). p53 Localizes in the nucleus, but is detectable at the plasma membrane during mitosis and when certain mutations modulate cytoplasmic/nuclear distribution. p53 Is the most commonly mutated gene in spontaneously occurring human cancers. Mutations arise with an average frequency of 70% but incidence varies from zero in carcinoid lung tumors to 97% in primary melanomas. High concentrations of p53 protein are transiently expressed in human epidermis and superficial dermal fibroblasts following mild ultraviolet irradiation.