ATM/p53 Signaling Pathway

ATM/p53 Signaling Pathway

The ataxia telangiectasia-mutated gene (ATM) encodes a protein kinase that acts as a tumor suppressor. ATM activation, via IR damage to DNA, stimulates DNA repair and blocks cell cycle progression. One mechanism through which this occurs is ATM dependent phosphorylation of p53. p53 can cause growth arrest of the cell at a checkpoint to allow for DNA damage repair or can cause the cell to undergo apoptosis if the damage cannot be repaired. The critical role of p53 is evident by the fact that it is mutated in over 50% of all human cancers.

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