Family friction as ΔNp73 antagonises p73 and p53

Description/Abstract

p53 and its homolog p73 are responsible for guarding the genome and regulating cellular responses to genotoxic damage. However, life is never simple and in fact multiple isoforms of each gene exist which may have opposing functions. ΔNp73 is a truncated isoform of p73 which lacks the N-terminal transactivation domain and is up-regulated in a number of diverse primary tumour types. Although its exact cellular function is unclear upregulation of ΔNp73 has been linked to various pro-tumour activities. Here we review the current literature surrounding this mysterious protein and reveal its potentially important functions in tumourigenesis and treatment resistance.