[The ARF-p53 pathway: a line of defence against oncogenic signals]

Abstract

The MTS1 (Multiple Tumor Suppressor 1) locus is a very original one as its organization results in the expression of two alternative transcripts that encode two structurally and functionally different proteins: INK4a and ARF (also designated p19ARF in mouse and p14ARF in man). Recent findings indicate that the latter is a major component of a regulatory pathway of oncogenic signals culminating in p53 activation by stabilisation of the protein. While the importance of this pathway has been overtly established in animal experimental oncology, it still has to be further documented in human oncology in order for this gene to acquire its full biological significance.