This thesis presents the first report of the comprehensive and quantitative analysis of the effects of tumor-derived mutations on the tetrameric structure of tumor suppressor protein p53, which plays a central role in maintaining genomic integrity. Inactivation of p53 via mutation of its gene is a key step in tumorigenesis. Biophysical analyses revealed that the stability of the mutant peptides varied widely. Formation of a tetrameric structure is to be critical for protein-protein interactions, DNA binding, and the post-translational modification of p53. A small destabilization of the...

This thesis presents the first report of the comprehensive and quantitative analysis of the effects of tumor-derived mutations on the tetrameric structure of tumor suppressor protein p53, which plays a central role in maintaining genomic integrity. Inactivation of p53 via mutation of its gene is a key step in tumorigenesis. Biophysical analyses revealed that the stability of the mutant peptides varied widely. Formation of a tetrameric structure is to be critical for protein-protein interactions, DNA binding, and the post-translational modification of p53. A small destabilization of the...