PERP: Proteins and Enzymes

The p53 tumor suppressor activates either cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in response to cellular stress. A novel gene, PERP, is expressed in a p53-dependent manner and at high levels in apoptotic cells compared with G(1)-arrested cells. PERP induction is linked to p53-dependent apoptosis and is directly activated by p53. These data suggest that PERP is a novel effector of p53-dependent apoptosis.