The p53 tumor suppressor gene--the "guardian of the genome"--protects cells against genotoxic stress but is mutated in many cancers. It encodes one of a family of transcription factors (p53, p63, and p73) that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, senescence, and cell death. Mutations in p53 allow cells to escape normal growth controls and thereby contribute to tumor malignancy.
Written and edited by experts in the field, this collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology provides a comprehensive review of the functions of the p53 family. The contributors examine the...

It is surprising, and even disappointing, that there have been very few meetings and published volumes resulting from these meetings that focus attention upon all of the groups of DNA tumor viruses. Historically, separate meetings were held each year for the adenovirus-SV40-polyoma researchers, the herpes- viruses, hepatitis B virus and the papillomaviruses. It was as if these four virus groups were four fields of study developing independently with a literature and culture of their own. When a virologist crossed the field from the adenovirus group to the herpesvirus or papillomaviruses, he...