DNA damage during S-phase mediates the proliferation-quiescence decision in the subsequent G1 via p21 expression

Abstract

Cell cycle arrest after DNA damage is achieved by the expression of the CDK inhibitor p21. Here the authors show that spontaneous DNA damage incurred in unperturbed cell cycles, leads to cell populations exhibiting a bistable state, with p53 and p21 regulating the proliferation-quiescence decision.