Knowledge & Atheism

Gene P53

What is Gene P53, what does it do and why is it important?

First, we need to start with basic genetics, to understand this you must be familiar with genetics. So what is genetics? The dictionary definition of Genetics Is "The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics." So basically Genetics is the study of heredity genes, such as DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) and Chromosomes, it covers much more than that, but that was just a base line to the understanding of what it covers. As we know, in a human there are many genetic structures, such as your double helix DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) strand. DNA is responsible for genetic structure information and storage, so it can replicate/ create new being's e.g. you! Now that's a quick bit of information about genetics if you were unaware of what genetics is.

Now, this is the part were I actually start explaining what Gene P53 is.

Gene P53 is a multicellular organism; it's often referred to as "TP53, Tumor Protein 53 “and” The Tumor suppressing protein". Why is it referred to as this? Well, the Gene P53 is a Gene that protects your lungs and really all of your body from genetic manipulation; e.g. Cancer, Tumors and genome mutation, this Gene is located on the short arm of Chromosome 17.

What is Chromosome 17?

Chromosome 17 is one of your 46 Chromosomes, you gain 46 Chromosomes, 23 from each parent, occasionally a child develops one extra which results in the child becoming mentally impaired (Down syndrome). Chromosome 17 spans about 18 million DNA building blocks and represents 2.5- 3 % of the total DNA in cells.

Why is it named Gene P53?

It gained the name P53 due to its molecular mass, it has a 53 kilodalton (kDa) protein on (SDS-PAGE, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis,) < Very complicated stuff, I won't go too far on that. But P53's mass turns out to be actually 43.7 kDa. The reason is the high amount of praline residues throughout the protein. Which slows the transfer of SDS-PAGE? Which is why it's appears heavier than its real weight.

The structure of Gene P53:

The p53 protein is a phosphoprotein made of 393 amino acids. It consists of four units (or domains):

1.)A domain that activates transcription factors.

2.)A domain that recognizes specific DNA sequences (core domain).

3.) A domain that is responsible for the tetramerization of the protein.

4.) A domain that recognized damaged DNA, such as misaligned base pairs or single-stranded DNA.

How is this gene altered/damaged?

The most common way the Gene P53 or TP53 is damages is through the inhalation of tobacco fumes. Tobacco Smoke contains carcinogens; carcinogens contain radiation that damages tissues, and the Gene P53. Carcinogens are now known to be emitted from Paraffin candles.

So why does it matter if this Gene becomes damaged?

Well, this gene is responsible for preventing genetic mutations, Cancer's and Tumors, once this Gene has been alerted or damaged, it's useless, and leaves your body defenseless against; Cancer and Tumors. So it's very important to keep this Gene healthy.

To conclude

Overall, this Gene is extremely impressive and complex, it's there to keep you safe from genetic manipulation, so if you wish to remain cancer free, then avoid inhaling Carcinogens (tobacco or smoke from paraffin candles.) Also if you do use paraffin candles or are unsure what type of candles they are, find out, and remove them if they are, especially if you have children!

I hope you enjoyed this and expanded your knowledge in something you had no knowledge in previously. If you wish for me to write similar article like this in the future just let me by commenting below.

Sorry for being so late with the article, I haven’t had much time recently, and this gene requires mass amounts of research.

~Kordell