Review
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World J Biol Chem. Sep 26, 2011; 2(9): 202-214
Published online Sep 26, 2011. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v2.i9.202
p53 in stem cells
Valeriya Solozobova, Christine Blattner
Valeriya Solozobova, Christine Blattner, Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Institute of Applied Biosciences, PO-Box 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
Christine Blattner, Karlsruher Institute of Technology, PO-Box 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
Author contributions: Solozobova V and Blattner C both contributed to this paper; All authors surveyed the literature and contributed to the writing of the article.
Correspondence to: Christine Blattner, PD, PhD, Principal Investigator, Karlsruher Institute of Technology, Institute of Toxicolocy and Genetics, PO-Box 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany. christine.blattner@kit.edu
Telephone: +49-721-60822634 Fax: +49-721-60823354
Received: May 17, 2011
Revised: August 23, 2011
Accepted: August 30, 2011
Published online: September 26, 2011
Abstract

p53 is well known as a “guardian of the genome” for differentiated cells, in which it induces cell cycle arrest and cell death after DNA damage and thus contributes to the maintenance of genomic stability. In addition to this tumor suppressor function for differentiated cells, p53 also plays an important role in stem cells. In this cell type, p53 not only ensures genomic integrity after genotoxic insults but also controls their proliferation and differentiation. Additionally, p53 provides an effective barrier for the generation of pluripotent stem cell-like cells from terminally differentiated cells. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge about p53 activities in embryonic, adult and induced pluripotent stem cells.

Keywords: p53; Embryonic stem cells; Adult stem cells; Induced pluripotent stem cells; Cell differentiation