ASPP proteins specifically stimulate the apoptotic function of p53

Mol Cell. 2001 Oct;8(4):781-94. doi: 10.1016/s1097-2765(01)00367-7.

Abstract

We identified a family of proteins termed ASPP. ASPP1 is a protein homologous to 53BP2, the C-terminal half of ASPP2. ASPP proteins interact with p53 and specifically enhance p53-induced apoptosis but not cell cycle arrest. Inhibition of endogenous ASPP function suppresses the apoptotic function of endogenous p53 in response to apoptotic stimuli. ASPP enhance the DNA binding and transactivation function of p53 on the promoters of proapoptotic genes in vivo. Two tumor-derived p53 mutants with reduced apoptotic function were defective in cooperating with ASPP in apoptosis induction. The expression of ASPP is frequently downregulated in human breast carcinomas expressing wild-type p53 but not mutant p53. Therefore, ASPP regulate the tumor suppression function of p53 in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Breast Neoplasms
  • Carcinoma
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Separation
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Cyclins / genetics
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptide Fragments / genetics
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2*
  • Transcriptional Activation / genetics
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • CDKN1A protein, human
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Cyclins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • TP53BP2 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AJ318887
  • GENBANK/AJ318888