Identification and characterization of p53-target genes

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With a combination of microarray analyses and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, identification of p53-target genes in human genome has been conducted in the Division. The effort enables us to understand the physiological functions of p53.

There are a number of p53-target genes, and the function of each p53-target varies from gene to gene. The important question is how p53 regulates a number of target genes and/or functions. Recently, modifications of p53 such as phosphorylation, acetylation and sumoylation were suggested to play an important role in this process. To clarify the mechanism, classification of p53-target genes is being conducted according to individual functions.