Question

With regards to cancer, which of the following is NOT a function of the p53 protein?

A) Activate other genes whose products halt the cell cycle.
B) Activate genes whose products participate in DNA repair.
C) Activate genes that initiate cell death when DNA damage cannot be repaired.
D) Activate genes that push the cell cycle past a checkpoint before all of the required conditions are met.

Answer 1

The p53 protein is a tumor suppressor that halts the cell cycle for DNA repair or triggers cell death if repair is not possible. It does not activate genes to advance the cell cycle without meeting all conditions, making option D the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Function of p53 Protein in Cancer

The p53 protein has several critical functions in cellular regulation, particularly at the G1 checkpoint.

It activates other genes whose products halt the cell cycle, which provides time for DNA repair, or in cases where DNA damage cannot be repaired, it initiates cell death, a process known as apoptosis.

However, p53 does not activate genes that push the cell cycle past a checkpoint before all of the required conditions are met. In fact, such an action would be antithetical to the protein's role as a tumor suppressor.