Abstract

p53 takes critical part in a number of positive and negative feedback loops to regulate carcinogenesis, aging and other biological processes. Uncapped or dysfunctional telomeres are an endogenous DNA damage that activates ATM kinase (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) and then p53 to induce cellular senescence or apoptosis. Our recent study shows that p53, a downstream effector of the telomere damage signaling, also functions upstream of the telomere-capping protein complex by inhibiting one of its components, TRF2 (telomeric repeat binding factor 2). Since TRF2 inhibition leads to ATM activation, a novel positive feedback loop exists to amplify uncapped telomere-induced, p53-mediated cellular responses. Siah1 (seven in absentia homolog 1), a p53-inducible E3 ubiquitin ligase, plays a key role in this feedback regulation by targeting TRF2 for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Biological significance and therapeutic implications of this study are discussed.