A MOLECULAR MECHANISM FOR THE STRUCTURE-FUNCTIONAL ALTERATIONS IN MUTANT FORMS OF HUMAN P53 PROTEIN

Summary Motivation: The exact molecular mechanisms of the effects of the gain-of-function mutations are not known as yet (Gualberto et al., 1998). Here, we performed a computer analysis of the possible molecular mechanisms of the gain-of-function effect of cancer-prone mutations in human p53. Results: In this study we identified new functional sites in mutant human p53 protein, using the structure alignment technique. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to demonstrate the efficiency of the found sites. We also suggested a molecular mechanism of the gain-of-function effect in the mutant p53 protein.