Opposing effects of Ras on p53:: Transcriptional activation of mdm2 and induction of p19ARF

Mdm2 acts as a major regulator of the tumor suppressor p53 by targeting its destruction. Here, we show that the mdm2 gene is also regulated by the Has-driven Raf/MEK/MAP kinase pathway, in a p53-independent manner. Mdma induced by activated Raf degrades p53 in the absence of the Mdm2 inhibitor p19(ARF). This regulatory pathway accounts for the observation that cells transformed by oncogenic Ras are more resistant to p53-dependent apoptosis following exposure to DNA damage. Activation of the Ras-induced Raf/MEK/MAP kinase may therefore play a key role in suppressing p53 during tumor development and treatment. In primary cells, Raf also activates the Mdm2 inhibitor p19(ARF). Levels of p53 are therefore determined by opposing effects of Raf-induced p19(ARF) and Mdm2.