Essays --

Thought to be an oncogene, a gene that has potential in transforming normal cells into tumor cells, p53 was regarded as the most prominent tumor suppressor gene [1]. P53 is a gene which signals apoptosis (programmed cell death) if a cell cannot be repaired due to an extensive amount of damage. As stated in the textbook, p53 regulation occurs by an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase known as MDM2 [1]. "Controlling the controller" is a statement that describes the molecular interaction where the presence of MDM2 targets the p53 for proteosome via degradation. With three main checkpoints in cell cycle, the literature states p53 functioning from G1 into S phase in a chaotic cell [2]. The normal state of cells is to keep p53 levels low in order to prevent uncontrolled apoptosis and random cell cycle arrest from occurring. In a further note, although p53 promotes apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, cancer may result from p53 unable to recognize the problematic site. In turn, a mutation in p53 may result engaging in new activities. These activities include cellular transformation, tumor metastasis,...