The p53 protein is a transcription factor activated in response to DNA
-damaging agents (such as chemical or physical carcinogens) and which
plays multiple role in the control of proliferation and survival of ce
lls exposed to genotoxic stress. Recent developments in the analysis o
f the crystal structure of p53 help us to understand the exact role of
the various domains of the protein, as well as the impact of the muta
tions which are frequently found in cancers. In the future, this struc
tural approach may significantly contribute to the interpretation of t
he pathological consequences of p53 mutations.