What is p53?
Q: What is p53?
A: p53 is a gene that is essential to many forms of life, including humans, and codes for a protein that suppresses cancer.
Q: Why is p53 also known as "the guardian of the genome"?
A: p53 is commonly referred to as "the guardian of the genome" due to its crucial role in preventing mutations in genetic material.
Q: What is the role of the p53 protein?
A: The p53 protein binds to DNA and regulates gene expression in order to prevent mutations of the genome, thus reducing the risk of cancer.
Q: Why is the p53 gene significant in the development of cancer?
A: The p53 gene is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancer, with more than 50% of all cancers showing mutations in the gene.
Q: What is the level of p53 protein in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs)?
A: The level of p53 protein (TP53) is low in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), which allows important cell division to occur rapidly.
Q: How does the function of p53 differ in human embryonic stem cells from that in other cells?
A: In human embryonic stem cells, the low levels of p53 protein allow for rapid cell division, whereas in other cells, p53 helps regulate gene expression and prevent mutations in the genome.
Q: What is the importance of p53 in maintaining healthy cells?
A: p53 plays a significant role in preventing mutations in the genome, which can lead to the development of cancer. By regulating gene expression, p53 helps to maintain healthy cells.
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