PUMA, a novel proapoptotic gene, is induced by p53.
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Nakano K, Vousden KH
PUMA, a novel proapoptotic gene, is induced by p53.
Mol Cell. 2001 Mar;7(3):683-94. doi: 10.1016/s1097-2765(01)00214-3.
- PubMed ID
- 11463392 [ View in PubMed]
- Abstract
The p53 tumor-suppressor protein functions as a transcriptional activator, and several p53-inducible genes that play a role in the induction of apoptosis in response to p53 have been described. We have identified a novel gene named PUMA (p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis) as a target for activation by p53. This gene encodes two BH3 domain-containing proteins (PUMA-alpha and PUMA-beta) that are induced in cells following p53 activation. PUMA-alpha and PUMA-beta show similar activities; they bind to Bcl-2, localize to the mitochondria to induce cytochrome c release, and activate the rapid induction of programmed cell death. Antisense inhibition of PUMA expression reduced the apoptotic response to p53, and PUMA is likely to play a role in mediating p53-induced cell death through the cytochrome c/Apaf-1-dependent pathway.