P53 gene

A gene which encodes a protein that regulates cell growth and is able to cause potentially cancerous cells to destroy themselves. The gene is thus an antioncogene, and is often found mutated in smokers with lung cancer by a compound found in tobacco smoke, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon called benzo[a]pyrene. The protein it encodes is a phosphoprotein that is 53 kilodaltons in mass.


Selected P53 gene links:

© 2004 TheBioTechDictionary.com.   If you have comments or additions that you wish to make, please email us.  If you found this site useful, feel free to tell others or link to it from your site!  TheBioTechDictionary.com is a purely informational website, and should not be used as a substitute for professional legal, medical or technical advice.