The p53 tumor suppressor controls multiple cell cycle checkpoints regulatin
g the mammalian response to DNA damage. To identify the mechanism by which
p53 regulates G(2), we have derived a human ovarian cell that undergoes p53
-dependent G(2) arrest at 32 degrees C. We have found that p53 prevents G(2
)/M transition by decreasing intracellular levels of cyclin B1 protein and
attenuating the activity of the cyclin B1 promoter. Cyclin B1 is the regula
tory subunit of the cdc2 kinase and is a protein required for mitotic initi
ation. The ability of p53 to control mitotic initiation by regulating intra
cellular cyclin B1 levels suggests that the cyclin B-dependent G(2) checkpo
int has a role in preventing neoplastic transformation.