The p53 protein (tumor protein 53 or TP53) is a DNA-binding cell cycle-regulating transcription
factor that governs cell division and the fine
balance between cell death and cell survival (1).
P53 plays a critical role in tumor suppression and
hence it is often described as "the guardian of the
genome", "the guardian angel gene", or the "master
watchman." This also refers to its role in conserving
stability by preventing genome mutation (2).
Defects in p53 are linked to >50% of human
cancers, and restoring p53 function to these
cancer cells can induce growth arrest and
apoptosis (3). When p53 has been damaged, it
can also lead to autoimmune disorders (4, 5).