Question

What is the rationale for p53 gene therapy?

1) To stimulate inflammation
2) To inhibit cell cycle progression
3) To enhance antibody production
4) To increase enzyme activity

Answer 1

The rationale for p53 gene therapy is to inhibit cell cycle progression and restore the tumor-suppressing activities of the p53 protein, which is crucial in preventing mutations and controlling cell division.

Step-by-step explanation:

The rationale for p53 gene therapy is to inhibit cell cycle progression. The p53 protein, often referred to as the 'Guardian of the Genome', plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular integrity by activating genes that halt the cell cycle to allow for DNA repair, initiating cell death if the damage is irreparable, and consequently preventing the propagation of mutations. When the p53 gene is mutated, it can lead to uncontrolled cell division and tumor growth because the regulatory functions of p53 are lost.

In the context of gene therapy, introducing functional p53 into cells can restore its tumor-suppressing activities. This therapeutic approach aims to treat cancer by addressing one of its root causes: the malfunction of a key tumor suppressor gene.