Figure 3.

Role of the p53 network in adaptive and stress responses. The molecular mechanisms underlying p53's implication in adaptive versus stress responses are poorly understood. In the proposed model, multiple negative feed-back loops contribute to maintain the p53 response within a range of activity that favors cell survival and ensure proper cell homeostasis. When these stresses increase in intensity and/or duration, p53 gets recruited to a subset of its target genes that leads to the elimination of damaged cells.