p53, often referred to as the "guardian of the genome," is a crucial tumor suppressor protein that regulates cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and DNA repair. Its role in maintaining genomic stability is paramount, as it activates DNA Damage Response (DDR) pathways upon detecting DNA damage. The DDR involves a series of signaling cascades that halt cell cycle progression, allowing time for DNA repair or triggering apoptosis if the damage is irreparable. 

Drug discovery efforts targeting p53 focus on restoring its tumor-suppressive functions, given that TP53 mutations are common in cancers. Key strategies include reactivating mutant p53 (e.g., APR-246), inhibiting the MDM2-p53 interaction to stabilize p53, and activating alternative pathways in p53-deficient cells. Additionally, mutant-specific small molecules and gene or immunotherapy approaches are being explored to counteract the effects of dysfunctional p53 in tumors. These approaches aim to harness or mimic p53’s role as a "guardian of the genome" in cancer therapy.

The table below outlines our comprehensive assays for p53.  

Our capabilities extend to systematically supporting the integrated drug discovery process, particularly for challenging-to-drug targets in oncology and immunology. Feel free to connect with our experts to explore how we can assist with your projects.

Learn more from our poster presented at the 7th Annual DDR Inhibitor Summit: 

A Comprehensive p53 Drug Discovery Platform: From Target-Base Assays to In Vivo Models