P53 is an oncosuppressor protein which acts via transcriptional and non-transcriptional mechanisms. The transcriptional function of p53 is mediated by specific responsive elements (RE). In the present study we found one perfect p53 RE located in the first intron of the gene encoding for CD58 (lymphocyte function Antigen-3/LFA-3) membrane protein. Additionally, we detected one perfect p53 RE within the promoter region and one imperfect p53 RE placed in the first intron of the gene encoding for CD59 (membrane inhibitor of reactive lysis/MIRL). The results of our investigation suggest that p53 may enhance the transcription of both CD59 and CD58 and imply a novel role for p53 as a direct regulator of the immune response.
Copyright 2002 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.