p73, the first p53 gene homologue, encodes an array of p73 proteins including p73 alpha full-length (TAp73 alpha) and amino-truncated isoforms (Delta Np73 alpha), two proteins with opposite biological functions. TAp73 alpha can induce tumor suppressive properties, while Delta Np73 alpha antagonizes p53 as well as TAp73 in a dominant-negative manner. In human malignant neuroblasts, p53 protein i...

We examined 61 lung cancer cases to determine whether alterations of p73, a novel monoallelically expressed p53-like molecule, may be involved in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. Allelic loss at the/;73 locus at Ip36.33 was observed in 42% (11 of 26 informative cases), and squamous cell carcinoma tended to carry this lesion most frequently. Somatic mutations in the p73 gene itself, however, wer...

The tetrameric transcription factors p53, p63, and p73 evolved from a common ancestor and play key roles in tumor suppression and development. Surprisingly, p63 and p73 require a second helix in their tetramerization domain for the formation of stable tetramers that is absent in human p53, raising questions about the evolutionary processes leading to diversification. Here we determined the crys...

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are fast proliferating cells capable of differentiating into all somatic cell types. In somatic cells, it is well documented that p53 is rapidly activated upon DNA damage to arrest the cell cycle and induce apoptosis. In mouse ESCs, p53 can also be functionally activated, but the precise biological consequences are not well characterized. Here, we demonstrated that d...

The tumor suppressors p53, p73, and p63 are known to function as transcription factors. They promote either growth arrest or apoptosis, depending upon the DNA damage. A number of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to function as transcriptional targets of p53 and they appear to aid p53 in promoting growth arrest and apoptosis. However, the question of p53/p63/p73 regulating the miRNA processing...

p53 and p73 interact with human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 and E7 oncoproteins. The interplay between p53 and p73 and HPV16 may lead to deregulation of cell cycle and apoptosis, through which inflammation/immune responses control the HPV clearance and escape of immune surveillance, and subsequently contribute to tumor HPV16 status. In this case-case comparison study, HPV16 status in tumor specimen...

We examined 61 lung cancer cases to determine whether alterations of p73, a novel monoallelically expressed p53-like molecule, may be involved in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. Allelic loss at the/;73 locus at Ip36.33 was observed in 42% (11 of 26 informative cases), and squamous cell carcinoma tended to carry this lesion most frequently. Somatic mutations in the p73 gene itself, however, wer...

C57BL/KsJ (BKs) and CBA/J, but not C57BL/6J (B6) mice are susceptible to the diabetogenic action of the obesity gene, "diabetes" (db). BKs and CBA/J, but not B6 mice, constitutively express intracisternal type A particles (IAP), an endogenous class of retrovirus, in beta cells and in cortical thymocytes. IAP genetic expression in these cell types included production of the group-specific antige...

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world, with about 5000 new cases in Sweden every year. CRC is caused by mutation (inherited or acquired) in genes, by gene variants and changed expression of proteins. The primary way to achieve a curative result for CRC is to remove the tumor by surgery. To reduce risk of recurrence chemoor radiotherapy are given as a complement to...

Niemann-Pick C (NPC) disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of free cholesterol in lysosomes. We have previously reported that oxidative stress is the main upstream stimulus activating the proapoptotic c-Abl/p73 pathway in NPC neurons. We have also observed accumulation of vitamin E in NPC lysosomes, which could lead to a potential decrease of its bioava...