p53 gene

A tumor suppressor gene that normally inhibits the growth of tumors. This gene is altered in many types of cancer.

A human tumour-suppressor transcription factor gene, damage or mutation to which is believed to be responsible for up to 60% of all human cancer tumours. If, in spite of the presence of p53 protein, a cell begins to divide uncontrollably following damage to its DNA, the p53 gene acts to prevent tumours by triggering apoptosis.