The p53 tumor suppressor protein protects against chemotherapeutic stress and apoptosis in human medulloblastoma cells.

ABSTRACT: Medulloblastoma (MB), a primitive neuroectodermal tumor, is the most common malignant childhood brain tumor and remains incurable in about a third of patients. Currently, survivors carry a significant burden of late treatment effects. The p53 tumor suppressor protein plays a crucial role in influencing cell survival in response to cellular stress and while the p53 pathway is considered a key determinant of anti-tumor responses in many tumors, its role in cell survival in MB is much less well defined. Herein, we report that the experimental drug VMY-1-103 acts through induction of a partial DNA damage-like response as well induction of non-survival autophagy. Surprisingly, the genetic or chemical silencing of p53 significantly enhanced the cytotoxic effects of both VMY and the DNA damaging

SUBMITTER: Waye S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4637210 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature