The Status of p53 Oligomeric and Aggregation States in Cancer
Guilherme A. P. de Oliveira,
Elaine C. Petronilho,
Murilo M. Pedrote,
Mayra A. Marques,
Tuane C. R. G. Vieira,
Elio A. Cino,
Jerson L. Silva
Affiliations
Guilherme A. P. de Oliveira
Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Jiri Jonas, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro RJ 21941-901, Brazil
Elaine C. Petronilho
Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Jiri Jonas, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro RJ 21941-901, Brazil
Murilo M. Pedrote
Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Jiri Jonas, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro RJ 21941-901, Brazil
Mayra A. Marques
Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Jiri Jonas, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro RJ 21941-901, Brazil
Tuane C. R. G. Vieira
Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Jiri Jonas, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro RJ 21941-901, Brazil
Elio A. Cino
Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte MG 31270-901, Brazil
Jerson L. Silva
Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Jiri Jonas, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro RJ 21941-901, Brazil
Despite being referred to as the guardian of the genome, when impacted by mutations, p53 can lose its protective functions and become a renegade. The malignant transformation of p53 occurs on multiple levels, such as altered DNA binding properties, acquisition of novel cellular partners, or associating into different oligomeric states. The consequences of these transformations can be catastrophic. Ongoing studies have implicated different oligomeric p53 species as having a central role in cancer biology; however, the correlation between p53 oligomerization status and oncogenic activities in cancer progression remains an open conundrum. In this review, we summarize the roles of different p53 oligomeric states in cancer and discuss potential research directions for overcoming aberrant p53 function associated with them. We address how misfolding and prion-like amyloid aggregation of p53 seem to play a crucial role in cancer development. The misfolded and aggregated states of mutant p53 are prospective targets for the development of novel therapeutic strategies against tumoral diseases.
