p53, also known as tumor protein 53 or TP53, is a tumor suppressor and transcription factor that functions in a number of anti-cancer activities including DNA repair, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis in response to DNA damage or other stressors. Mutations in p53 are linked to a number of malignant tumors, including those of the breast, ovarian, bladder, colon, lung, and melanoma. Anti-p53 staining has been used to detect intratubular germ cell neoplasia, and also to distinguish between uterine serous carcinoma and endometrioid carcinoma.
