p53, the Cellular Gatekeeper for Growth and Division

Uncontrolled cell proliferation is the hallmark of cancer, and tumor cells have typically acquired damage to genes that directly regulate their cell cycles. Genetic alterations affecting p16(INK4a) and cyclin D1, proteins that govern phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (RB) and control exit from the G1 phase of the cell cycle, are so frequent in human cancers that inactivation of this pathway may well be necessary for tumor development. Like the tumor suppressor protein p53, components of this "RB pathway," although not essential for the cell cycle per se, may participate in checkpoint functions that regulate homeostatic tissue renewal throughout life.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/274/5293/1672.full.pdf

Cancer Cell Cycles

The retinoblastoma protein and cell cycle control

p53, guardian of the genome

Oncogenic ras Provokes Premature Cell Senescence Associated with Accumulation of p53 and p16INK4a

Is the DNA repair system involved in hepatitis-B-virus-mediated hepatocellular carcinogenesis?

A desired non-human animal or an animal cell or human cell which contains a predefined, specific and desired alteration in at least one of its two p53 chromosomal alleles, such that at least one of these alleles contains a mutation which alters the expression of the allele, and the other of the alleles expresses either a normal p53 gene product, or comprises an identical or different p53 mutation.

Transgenic mice containing a disrupted p53 gene

Hepatitis B virus-induced liver injury and altered expression of carcinogen metabolising enzymes: the role of the HBx protein.

Tumor susceptible non-human animals

Genetic heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma: Unsal H, Yakicier C, Marcais C, Kew M, Volkmann M, Zentgraf H, Isselbacher KJ, et al Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1994;91:822–826

Betty L. Slagle

Papers

Is the DNA repair system involved in hepatitis-B-virus-mediated hepatocellular carcinogenesis?

Transgenic mice containing a disrupted p53 gene

Hepatitis B virus-induced liver injury and altered expression of carcinogen metabolising enzymes: the role of the HBx protein.

Tumor susceptible non-human animals

Genetic heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma: Unsal H, Yakicier C, Marcais C, Kew M, Volkmann M, Zentgraf H, Isselbacher KJ, et al Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1994;91:822–826