Regulation and function of p53: A perspective from Drosophila studies

• Published in: Mechanisms of development Vol. 154; pp. 82 - 90
• Main Authors: Ingaramo, María Clara, Sánchez, Juan A., Dekanty, Andrés
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01.12.2018
• Subjects: Apoptosis; Drosophila; Metabolism; p53; Proliferation; Tumour suppressor; Tumour suppressor; Proliferation; Metabolism; Drosophila; p53; Apoptosis
• ISSN: 0925-4773; 1872-6356; 1872-6356
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2018.05.007

Tp53 is a central regulator of cellular responses to stress and one of the most frequently mutated genes in human cancers. P53 is activated by a myriad of stress signals and drives specific cellular responses depending on stress nature, cell type and cellular context. Additionally to its classical functions in regulating cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and senescence, newly described non-canonical functions of p53 are increasingly coming under the spotlight as important functions not only for its role as a tumour suppressor but also for its non-cancer associated activities. Drosophila melanogaster is a valuable model to study multiple aspects of normal animal physiology, stress response and disease. In this review, we discuss the contribution of Drosophila studies to the current knowledge on p53 and highlight recent evidences pointing to p53 novel roles in promoting tissue homeostasis and metabolic adaptation. •p53 tumour suppressor has become the most studied gene of all times.•p53 is similarly regulated in Drosophila and mammals.•p53 plays a conserved role in regulating metabolism and tissue homeostasis.•p53 plays non-cell-autonomous roles in both Drosophila and mammals.•Non-canonical functions of p53 have a potential role in tumour suppression along with normal animal physiology.