The central dogma states that DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into proteins. The central dogma must be under strict regulation, which is accomplished by transcription factors. Transcription factors are molecules/proteins that control whether or not a gene is expressed (DNA made into protein). As a transcription factor, p53 regulates the production/expression of many gene and gene products. The expression of these products are induced by the activation of p53, which is a result of DNA damage. There are many genes that are regulated by p53: bax, GADD45, MDM2, p21, Puma, and thrombosporin are all genes that are regulated by p53. MDM2 is a gene that acts as a negative feedback mechanism for p53. This negative feedback between p53 and MDM2 is to ensure that p53 isn’t overexpressed. The cell cycle is also influenced by p53. During the cell cycle there are many checkpoints to make sure that the DNA is replicated correctly. If the DNA is damaged in anyway, p53 will be express, which will cause p53 to induce to production of either p21, GADD45, and Puma depending on the amount of damage done. If minor damage, p21 will cause the cell cycle to stop so repairs can be made by the products of GADD45. However, if the damage is too great to repair, Puma will initiate the apoptosis pathway. This apoptotic pathway is a way to ensure that damaged/mutated DNA isn’t replicated. Transcription factors are essential for the central dogma to continue, and for the survival of living beings.
The image depicts many gene that are regulated by p53; including the gene that is responsible for regulating p53 itself.
Source:
https://www.creativebiomart.net/researcharea-p53-pathway-proteins.htm
References:
- “Primary Information Of P53 Gene”. Bioinformatics.Org, 2020, http://www.bioinformatics.org/p53/introduction.html.
- Shaw, Phillip H. “The Role Of P53 In Cell Cycle Regulation”. Pathology – Research And Practice, vol 192, no. 7, 1996, pp. 669-675. Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/s0344-0338(96)80088-4.
- “Gene Expression: What Are Transcription Factors?”. Thoughtco, 2020, https://www.thoughtco.com/what-are-transcription-factors-375675.
- Beckerman, R., and C. Prives. “Transcriptional Regulation By P53”. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives In Biology, vol 2, no. 8, 2010, pp. a000935-a000935. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a000935. Accessed 30 Jan 2020.
