RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 <em>Caenorhabditis elegans</em> p53: Role in Apoptosis, Meiosis, and Stress Resistance
JF Science
JO Science
FD American Association for the Advancement of Science
SP 591
OP 595
DO 10.1126/science.1065486
VO 294
IS 5542
A1 Derry, W. Brent
A1 Putzke, Aaron P.
A1 Rothman, Joel H.
YR 2001
UL http://science.sciencemag.org/content/294/5542/591.abstract
AB We have identified a homolog of the mammalian p53 tumor suppressor protein in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans that is expressed ubiquitously in embryos. The gene encoding this protein,cep-1, promotes DNA damage–induced apoptosis and is required for normal meiotic chromosome segregation in the germ line. Moreover, although somatic apoptosis is unaffected, cep-1mutants show hypersensitivity to hypoxia-induced lethality and decreased longevity in response to starvation-induced stress. Overexpression of CEP-1 promotes widespread caspase-independent cell death, demonstrating the critical importance of regulating p53 function at appropriate levels. These findings show that C. elegansp53 mediates multiple stress responses in the soma, and mediates apoptosis and meiotic chromosome segregation in the germ line.