Abstract
Mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor are very frequent in human cancer. Often, such mutations lead to the constitutive overproduction of mutant p53 proteins, which may exert a cancer-promoting gain of function. We now report that cancer-associated mutant p53 can augment the induction of nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) transcriptional activity in response to the cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). Conversely, down-regulation of endogenous mutant p53 sensitizes cancer cells to the apoptotic effects of TNFalpha. Analysis of human head and neck tumors and lung tumors reveals a close correlation between the presence of abundant mutant p53 proteins and the constitutive activation of NFkappaB. Together, these findings suggest that p53 mutations may promote cancer progression by augmenting NFkappaB activation in the context of chronic inflammation.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Apoptosis / physiology
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Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
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Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
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Breast Neoplasms / pathology
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Cell Nucleus / metabolism
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Down-Regulation
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Genes, p53
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Humans
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Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
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Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
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Lung Neoplasms / pathology
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NF-kappa B / genetics
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NF-kappa B / metabolism*
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Precancerous Conditions / genetics
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Precancerous Conditions / metabolism
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Precancerous Conditions / pathology
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RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
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Transcription Factor RelA / biosynthesis
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Transcription Factor RelA / genetics
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Transcription Factor RelA / metabolism
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Transfection
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology*
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Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / biosynthesis
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Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics*
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Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism
Substances
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NF-kappa B
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RNA, Small Interfering
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TP53 protein, human
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Transcription Factor RelA
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Tumor Suppressor Protein p53