Speakers - CIRWC 2024

Abstract

The p53 tumor suppressor has been shown to regulate energy metabolism through multiple mechanisms. However, the direct role of p53 in sensing nutritional stress and maintaining metabolic homeostasis has yet to be determined. We have identified a ribosomal protein (RP) mediated p53 activation pathway and demonstrated that this pathway is essential for integrating nutritional stress and modulating metabolism. The in vivo function of this pathway is in favor of animal fitness and survival. Perturbations to ribosome biogenesis have been demonstrated to induce an acute stress response leading to p53 activation through the inhibition of the MDM2 E3 ubiquitin ligase by a number of RPs. I will discuss the functions of p53 in regulating metabolism and postulate how changes in nutrient availability may induce p53 activation to modulate metabolism and prevent tumorigenesis.