The p53 Gene and Cancer

Resource Type
Description
This tutorial describes the structure and function of the p53 protein, how its activity is regulated in cells, and how mutant versions of p53 can lead to cancer.
The Click & Learn presents different types of genes that, when mutated, contribute to cancer, including oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and DNA repair genes. It then explores one tumor suppressor gene, p53, and its role in cancer in more depth. Students learn about the structure of the protein encoded by p53 and how it normally functions to regulate cell division.
The accompanying worksheets guide students’ exploration. The “Overview Worksheet” provides an introduction to p53 and its role in cancer. The “Advanced Worksheet” challenges students to explore these ideas in greater depth, including how p53 interacts with other molecules in the cell.
The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.
Student Learning Targets
- Describe the structure-function relationship of each of p53’s domains.
- Explain how the expression and function of p53 is regulated in the cell.
- Explain how a mutated version of the p53 gene can lead to cancer.
Estimated Time
Key Terms
cell death, cell division, complexing domain, DNA binding domain, Mdm2, proteasome, regulation, transactivation domain, transcription factor, tumor
Terms of Use
Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.
Version History
NGSS (2013)
HS-LS1.A, HS-LS1.B
AP Biology (2019)
IST-1.D, IST-1.E, IST-2.B, IST-2.C, IST-3.F, IST-3.G; SP1, SP2
IB Biology (2016)
1.6, 7.2
Vision and Change (2009)
CC2