Question

TP 53 analyzes a cell's DNA during _____

a. interphase

b. prophase

c. mitosis

d. cytokinesis

Answer 1

TP53 analyses cell DNA during interphase. TP53 encodes anticancer protein it also plays role in apoptosis.

In its anti-cancer role, p53 works through several mechanisms:

1. It activate DNA repair proteins when DNA has damaged
2. It can arrest growth cycle by holding cell cycle at G1/S regulation point so that DNA repare proteins will be able to fix the damage.
3. If DNA damage is irreparable it can initiate apoptosis in the cell

So the correct answer is a. interphase because DNA repair occur in interphase stage of the cycle before new cycle of division begins.