Temporal variation in the expression of the p53 protein in proliferating and differentiating murine erythroleukaemia cells.

Temporal changes in the expression of p53 were investigated during hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA)-induced differentiation of murine erythroleukaemic (MEL) cells. Cell preparations were analysed by SDS-PAGE and western immunoblotting, which detected an immunospecific band of molecular mass 53 kDa. This analysis provided semi-quantitative information. Cell extracts were analysed further by means of ELISA techniques, using a p53-specific antibody, to provide quantitative data. In time series experiments in which cells were isolated at 15, 30 and 60 min intervals, dynamic variations in the expression of the p53 protein were detected in both the untreated and the HMBA-treated MEL cells. In all cases, the effects were complex with variations in amplitude, frequency and phasing of the rhythms. The available evidence suggests that the observed patterns, like periodic variations in other systems, are modified in rhythmic fashion with respect to period and amplitude. The results add further support for our view that it is essential to consider the dynamics when interpreting the role of p53 and cellular processes in general.