Cables1 protects p63 from proteasomal degradation to ensure deletion of cells after genotoxic stress

The p63 gene product regulates epithelial morphogenesis and female germline integrity. In this study, we show that cyclin-dependent kinase 5 and Abl enzyme substrate 1 (Cables1) interacts with the trans-activating (TA) p63 alpha isoform to protect it from proteasomal degradation. Using the female germline of Cables1-null mice as an in vivo model, we demonstrate further that oocytes lacking Cables1 exhibit lower basal levels of TAp63 alpha and reduced accumulation of phosphorylated TAp63 alpha in response to genotoxic stress. This in turn enhances the survival of these cells after ionizing radiation exposure. Thus, Cables1 modulates p63 protein stability and function during genotoxic stress.