Inherited bone marrow failure syndrome (IBMFS) is a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders characterized by bone marrow failure, congenital anomalies, and an increased risk of malignancy. The p53 tumor suppressor protein is a transcription factor activated in response to various cellular stresses and induces genes involved in apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and DNA repair. Several lines of evidence suggest that p53 activation is central to the pathogenesis of IBMFS. We discovered germline TP53 activating mutations in IBMFS cases mimicking Diamond-Blackfan anemia using whole-exome sequencing. These cases were recognized as having a novel disorder, germline TP53 activation syndrome (bone marrow failure syndrome 5; OMIN). Recently, additional cases with the same TP53 mutations were reported, further clarifying the phenotype of this disease. This discovery confirms the hypothesis that p53 activation causes IBMFS. This review focuses on this novel IBMFS and discusses the link between p53 hyperactivation and IBMFS.
Keywords: Diamond-Blackfan anemia; Dyskeratosis congenita; Fanconi anemia; Germline TP53 activation syndrome.