Figure 4.

Cooperativity mutant mouse models show that the strength of interaction between H1 helices determines the functional activity of p53. Loss of cooperativity in p53R178E (p53EE) mouse leads to a phenotype similar to p53 knock-out, but residual transcription-independent activity provides a better therapy response in comparison to p53-null. Reduced cooperativity (E177R, R178C) results in compromised apoptosis but retained pro-survival functions of p53.