The p53 gene produces a protein that functions as a "housekeeping" mechanism. This gene product is found in the nucleus of the cell. It binds with DNA and stops the process of Mitosis in order to facilitate the repair and correction of improperly encoded DNA.
When the gene that codes for this protein is mutated, it no longer functions properly, and mutations and replication errors occurring throughout other parts of the genome remain virtually uncorrected. Many types of cancer are linked to a mutation in this gene.
This study made use of a particular mutation at codon 135 that results in the substitution of peptide C with peptide Y.
