p53 suppressor protein Karen Vousden

structure of mdm2

to prevent being activated inappropriately, p53 strictly controlled in normal cell. vousden discovered key element in regulation protein mdm2. allan weissman , others, showed mdm2 ubiquitin ligase targets p53 degradation proteasome, ensuring levels of protein remain low when cell not under stress.

reactivating p53 can inhibit growth of tumours, making mdm2 attractive target cancer therapeutics. mdm2 targets small number of proteins destruction, inhibitor might have few side effects. major focus of vousden s recent work has been investigating structure of mdm2 , seeking molecules inhibit it; group of low-molecular-weight compounds (discovered in collaboration department of chemistry @ university of glasgow) have shown promise in cell-culture studies. mdm2 inhibitors have been discovered researchers @ hoffmann–la roche , karolinska institute.

p53 can prevent or repair minor damage genome under conditions of low stress. vousden s group have discovered novel p53-regulated protein, tigar (t-p53 inducible glycolysis , apoptosis regulator), can reduce oxidative stress in cells , might mediate part of effect of p53.