{
  "id": 2969318,
  "title": "IRES-mediated translation of delta160p53 regulates p53 functions and fine-tunes cancer homeostasis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/ires-mediated-translation-of-delta160p53-regulates-p53-functions-and",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.21.744132v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mutations in the p53 gene and its 12 isoforms can impact its functions. N-terminally truncated variants, such as delta40p53, delta133p53, and delta160p53, are crucial regulators of cancer fate because they form tetramers. Although the mechanisms behind delta40p53- and delta133p53-mediated regulation of cancer are well understood, the mechanism behind delta160p53 remains unclear. This research explored the production and function of delta160p53, as well as its regulation through internal ribosomal entry site (IRES)-mediated translation.\n\nThe researchers observed differential synthesis of delta160p53 under various stress conditions and confirmed its IRES-mediated translation using bicistronic luciferase constructs. No cryptic promoters or splicing sites were detected within the IRES sequence. Interestingly, delta160p53 induced cell death and late apoptosis while promoting proliferation and increasing the number of cells in the S phase. Additionally, it enhanced drug resistance in cancer cells. Unlike other truncated p53 isoforms, delta160p53 did not activate p53-responsive promoters. RNA sequencing analysis of delta160p53 overexpression revealed similar findings, along with the inhibition of other tumor suppressor genes.\n\nThe findings of this study offer insights into the IRES-mediated translation of delta160p53, suggesting that it could serve as a novel target for cancer treatment strategies.",
  "summary": "Mutations in p53 and its 12 isoforms can alter its functions. As N-terminally truncated isoforms of p53 (delta40p53, delta133p53, and delta160p53) participate in tetramer formation, they are important regulators of cancer fate. Although delta40p53- and delta133p53-mediated regulation of cancer is well reported, the mechanism underlying delta160p53 production and its functional role remains…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}