The Complex Interaction between P53 and miRNAs Joins New Awareness in Physiological Stress Responses

This review emphasizes the important role of cross-talk between P53 and microRNAs in physiological stress signaling. P53 responds to stress in a variety of ways ranging from activating survival-promotion pathways to triggering programmed cell death to eliminate damaged cells. In physiological stress generated by any external or internal condition that challenges cell homeostasis, P53 exerts its function as a transcription factor for target genes or by regulating the expression and maturation of a class of small non-coding RNA molecules (miRNAs). The miRNAs control the level of P53 through direct control of P53 or through indirect control of P53 by targeting its regulators (such as MDMs). In turn, P53 controls the expression level of miRNAs targeted by P53 through the regulation of their transcription or biogenesis. This elaborate regulatory scheme emphasizes the relevance of miRNAs in the P53 network and vice versa.