What is the Role of p53 in Cellular Response to Damage?
p53 acts as a transcription factor that responds to a plethora of cellular stresses, including DNA damage, oxidative stress, and oncogene activation. Upon activation, p53 can induce cell cycle arrest to allow for DNA repair or trigger apoptosis if the damage is irreparable. This function is essential in preventing the carcinogenesis process, as it stops the proliferation of cells with damaged DNA, which could lead to tumor formation.
