Progress and challenges in understanding the regulation and function of p53 dynamics

The dynamics of p53 expression provide a mechanism to increase differentiation between cellular stresses and specificity in appropriate responses. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating p53 dynamics and the functions of the dynamics in the regulation of p53-dependent cell stress responses. We also compare dynamic encoding in the p53 system with that found in other important cell signaling systems, many of which can interact with the p53 network. Finally, we highlight some of the current challenges in understanding dynamic cell signaling within a larger cellular network context.

Role of Sex in the Therapeutic Targeting of p53 Circuitry

Sex profoundly affects cancer incidence and susceptibility to therapy, with sex hormones highly contributing to this disparity. Various studies and omics data suggest a relationship between sex and the oncosuppressor p53 circuitry, including its regulators MDM2 and MDM4. Association of this network with genetic variation underlies sex-related altered cancer risk, age of onset, and cancer sensitivity to therapy. Moreover, sex-related factors, mainly estrogenic hormones, can affect the levels and/or function of the p53 network both in hormone-dependent and independent cancer. Despite this evidence, preclinical and clinical studies aimed to evaluate p53 targeted therapy rarely consider sex and related factors. This review summarizes the studies reporting the relationship between sex and the p53 circuitry, including its associated regulators, MDM2 and MDM4, with particular emphasis on estrogenic hormones. Moreover, we reviewed the evaluation of sex/hormone in preclinical studies and clinical trials employing p53-target therapies, and discuss how patients’ sex and hormonal status could impact these therapeutic approaches.

PHLD Class Proteins: A Family of New Players in the p53 Network

The Pleckstrin Homology-like Domain (PHLD) class of proteins are multifunctional proteins. The class is comprised of two families of proteins, PHLDA and PHLDB, each with 3 members. All members of the families possess a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. Though identified nearly 30 years ago, this class of proteins remains understudied with PHLDA family members receiving most of the research attention. Recent studies have also begun to reveal the functions of the PHLDB family proteins in regulation of p53 and AKT signaling pathways important for cancer and metabolism. This review will discuss current research and offer some prospects on the possible roles of both families in cancer and metabolism.

Oscillatory Dynamics of P53 Network With Time Delays

Aims and Objective: A large number of experimental evidences report that the oscillatory dynamics of p53 would regulate the cell fate decisions. Moreover, multiple time delays are ubiquitous in gene expression which have been demonstrated to lead to important consequences on dynamics of genetic networks. Although delay-driven sustained oscillation in p53-based networks is commonplace, the precise roles of such delays during the processes are not completely known. Method: Herein, an integrated model with five basic components and two time delays for the network is developed. Using such time delays as the bifurcation parameter, the existence of Hopf bifurcation is given by analyzing the relevant characteristic equations. Moreover, the effects of such time delays are studied and the expression levels of the main components of the system are compared when taking different parameters and time delays. Result and Conclusion: The above theoretical results indicated that the transcriptional and translational delays can induce oscillation by undergoing a super-critical Hopf bifurcation. More interestingly, the length of these delays can control the amplitude and period of the oscillation. Furthermore, a certain range of model parameter values is essential for oscillation. Finally, we illustrated the main results in detail through numerical simulations.