The novel partnership of L-GILZ and p53: a new affair in cancer?

A recent report from our laboratory reveals how long glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (L-Gilz) protein binds to p53 and mouse double minute 2 homolog (Mdm2), thus dissociating the p53/Mdm2 complex and activating p53 with subsequent activation of downstream genes p21 and p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (Puma). p53 activation appears to be the mechanism by which both basal and glucocorticoid (GC)-induced L-Gilz inhibits proliferation and induces antioncogenic activity in human cancer.