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Converting p53 from a killer into a healer

Selenium-containing compounds are in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for prostate cancer prevention, although it is unclear how they work. A study suggests that selenium can facilitate DNA repair by activating the p53 tumor suppressor in an unusual way.

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Figure 1: Selenium and p53.

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Gudkov, A. Converting p53 from a killer into a healer. Nat Med 8, 1196–1198 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1102-1196

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