Figure 6. NPM-ALK paradoxically induces transcription and degradation of p53 to generate an equilibrium whereby the dominating residual levels of p53 are sufficient to induce senescence.

We propose that NPM-ALK induces transcription of p53 whilst also stabilizing MDM2 and Rb with the effect of attenuating p53 activity. However, equilibrium is reached whereby residual p53 protein is sufficient to set in place a senescence pathway.