Regulation of p53 function by lysine methylation

The reversible and dynamic methylation of proteins on lysine residues can greatly increase the signaling potential of the modified factor. In addition to histones, several other nuclear factors such as the tumor suppressor and transcription factor p53 undergo lysine methylation, suggesting that this modification may be a common mechanism for modulating protein-protein interactions and key cellular signaling pathways. This article focuses on how lysine methylation events on the C-terminal tail of p53 are generated, sensed and transduced to modulate p53 functions.