University of Central Florida (UCF) PCB3023 Molecular Cell Biology Practice Exam 4

p53 is a crucial tumor suppressor protein that plays a significant role in preventing cancer by promoting apoptosis, which is the programmed cell death of damaged or abnormal cells. When DNA in a cell is damaged due to factors like radiation, chemicals, or replication errors, p53 is activated and can halt the cell cycle, allowing time for DNA repair mechanisms to take place.

If the damage is beyond repair or if the cell is at risk of becoming cancerous, p53 initiates apoptosis to eliminate the potentially harmful cell. This mechanism is vital for maintaining cellular integrity and preventing the proliferation of cells that could accumulate further mutations and contribute to tumor development.

Thus, the function of p53 in promoting apoptosis serves as a critical checkpoint in the cell cycle and contributes to the overall prevention of cancer by removing cells that pose a risk to the organism. This highlights the importance of p53 in maintaining genomic stability and protection against tumorigenesis.