Transcriptional activation by wild-type but not transforming mutants of the p53 anti-oncogene

Science. 1990 Aug 31;249(4972):1049-51. doi: 10.1126/science.2144364.

Abstract

The protein encoded by the wild-type p53 proto-oncogene has been shown to suppress transformation, whereas certain mutations that alter p53 become transformation competent. Fusion proteins between p53 and the GAL4 DNA binding domain were made to anchor p53 to a DNA target sequence and to allow measurement of transcriptional activation of a reporter plasmid. The wild-type p53 stimulated transcription in this assay, but two transforming mutations in p53 were unable to act as transcriptional activators. Therefore, p53 can activate transcription, and transformation-activating mutations result in a loss of function of the p53 protein. The inability of the p53 mutant proteins to activate transcription may enable them to be transformation competent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • HeLa Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Oligonucleotide Probes
  • Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogenes*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Suppression, Genetic
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

Substances

  • MAS1 protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oligonucleotide Probes
  • Oncogene Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53