p53 is the most commonly mutated gene in human cancer. It is highly conserved and expressed in most normal tissues. p53 is considered a stress response gene, and acts to induce cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in response to DNA damage, thereby maintaining genetic stability in the organism. It is a tumor suppressor gene which induces apoptosis.
- References to p53 (Tumor suppressor p53, TP53, Li-Fraumeni syndrome)