What is the role of p53 in the G1 checkpoint?
G1 progression toward S phase is driven by cyclin-dependent kinases CDK4/6-cyclin D and CDK2-cyclin E that phosphorylate retinoblastoma protein Rb, releasing transcription factor E2F to induce genes for DNA replication enzymes, nucleotide biosynthesis, and replication licensing factors such as Cdc6. DNA damage in G1 would risk copying lesions, necessitating arrest. Tumor suppressor p53 serves as guardian by acting as transcription factor stabilized upon ATM-CHK2 signaling after double-strand breaks. One of its principal targets is CDKN1A encoding p21CIP1/WAF1, a potent inhibitor of CDK2-cyclin
Ref: El-Deiry et al., Cell 1993, p21 as p53 Target; Bertoli et al., Nature Rev Mol Cell Biol 2013, G1-S Regulation.