Studies on Δ40p53 mediated regulation of specific coding and non-coding RNAs: Consequences on cellular processes

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PhD; 2023; Microbiology and cell biology

p53 is a crucial transcriptional regulator which influences almost every possible pathway that impinges on the life of a cell. As expected of such an instrumental protein, the molecular network of p53 is as diverse as it is intense. Our laboratory has been working on the only known translational isoform of p53, Δ40p53. Δ40p53 isoform controls the folding, oligomerization and post-translational modifications of p53 complexes, thereby regulating the transcriptional and growth suppressive effects of p53. p53 has been intricately integrated into the non-coding RNA network of the cell through rigorous research over the last decade. Several non-coding RNAs that p53 regulates have been identified over the past few years of extensive studies. However, the role of Δ40p53 in regulating non-coding RNAs either via co-regulation through hetero-tetramerization with full-length p53 (FLp53) or via direct regulatory mechanisms has remained largely unexplored. p53, in consistence with its effect as the guardian angel of cells, is inhibitory to the development and survival of cancer stem cells. Δ40p53 has proven to be different from its "big brother," FLp53.