Temperature sensitivity for conformation is an intrinsic property of wild-type p53.

The tumour-suppressor protein p53 is a metal-binding transcription factor with sequence-specific DNA-binding capacity. In cancer, mutation of p53 disrupts protein conformation with consequent loss of DNA binding and associated tumour-suppressor function. In vitro, the conformation and DNA-binding activity of wild-type p53 are subject to redox modulation and are abrogated by exposure to metal chelators. In the present study, we have used the chelator 1, 10-phenanthroline (OP) to probe the effect of temperature on the conformational stability of p53 translated in vitro. Whereas low temperature (30 degrees C) stabilised wild-type p53 conformation and protected against chelation, high temperature (41 degrees C) promoted destabilisation and enhanced chelation, indicating that temperature influences the folding of wild-type p53. Destabilisation of p53 tertiary structure induced protein aggregation through hydrophobic interactions, consistent with the notion that wild-type p53 contains a hydrophobic core which may become exposed by metal chelation. These results indicate that temperature sensitivity for conformation is an intrinsic property of wild-type p53 and suggests that small changes in temperature may directly affect p53 function.