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Faculty Advisor

Christopher Sorich

Author Biographical Statement

Melanie Perez is a PRIME PREP scholar at Duke University School of Medicine. She received her bachelor’s degree with a dual major in Biology Sciences and Natural & Applied Sciences. She has presented her project son cancer genetics at several research conferences, including the American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting. She is interested in becoming a physician scientist. Her passion for the field led her to establish a club at FIU, Doctors & Scientists of the Future, to provide students with research/clinical opportunities to allow them to be competitive applicants in their respective career paths.

Abstract

The p53 gene family, a well-known group of genes, is the primary propagator of tumor-suppressing mechanisms in multicellular organisms. Although they are currently critical drug targets in cancer, the p53 family also serves specific functions in the development of multicellular organisms. In this paper, the current function, origin, and evolutionary purpose of the p53 family are reviewed in the evolution of multicellular organisms. The TP53 gene induces cellular responses such as apoptosis as a way to combat detrimental environmental and cellular factors that can damage the integrity of a cell’s DNA. The other two members of the p53 family are the TP63/TP73 genes. The TP63/TP73 genes are involved in the embryonic development of limbs and the neuronal system, respectively. It has been discovered that these three genes originated as an ancestral gene that later separated individually throughout the evolution of higher functioning vertebrates from invertebrates. The p53 family provides complex networks of tumor-suppressor genes that allow for the prevention of oncogenesis in multicellular organisms. The ultimate evolutionary goal of the p53 family is to preserve the integrity of their organisms from unwanted mutations, which in turn also assists their own fitness. However, the genomic evidence presented in the current literature contains gaps. Further research is needed to fill in these gaps in the genomes of multicellular organisms, in order to have a cohesive understanding of the evolutionary purpose of the p53 family, not only for the benefit of humans but for other species as well.

DOI

10.25148/URJ.020118

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