The p53 p63 p73 family is a family of
tumor suppressor gene
A tumor suppressor gene (TSG), or anti-oncogene, is a gene that regulates a cell during cell division and replication. If the cell grows uncontrollably, it will result in cancer. When a tumor suppressor gene is mutated, it results in a loss or re ...
s.
This gene family codes the proteins:
*
p53
p53, also known as Tumor protein P53, cellular tumor antigen p53 (UniProt name), or transformation-related protein 53 (TRP53) is a regulatory protein that is often mutated in human cancers. The p53 proteins (originally thought to be, and often s ...
*
TP73L
Tumor protein p63, typically referred to as p63, also known as transformation-related protein 63 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''TP63'' (also known as the '' p63'') gene.
The ''TP63'' gene was discovered 20 years after the discove ...
(also known as "p63")
*
p73
They are sometimes considered part of a "p53 family." When overexpressed, these proteins are known to be involved in
tumor
A neoplasm () is a type of abnormal and excessive growth of tissue. The process that occurs to form or produce a neoplasm is called neoplasia. The growth of a neoplasm is uncoordinated with that of the normal surrounding tissue, and persists ...
pathogenesis.
Evolution
P53, p63, and p73 have similar features in their gene structures and functions but have also diverged evolutionarily. The p53 family evolved from an ancestor gene in unicellular life. The ancestor gene functioned in germ line DNA protection early invertebrates. In invertebrates, the ancestor gene resembled p63/p73 as it contained the sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain. P53 diverged from p63/p73 with a gene duplication in the cartilaginous fish.
P63 and p73 differentiated from each other in bony fish.
In vertebrates, p53 began the role of protecting the somatic cells and acting as a tumor suppressor.
References
{{Cell cycle proteins
Tumor suppressor genes