Tissue-specific differences of p53 inhibition by Mdm2 and Mdm4.

The function of the p53 tumor suppressor to inhibit proliferation or initiate apoptosis is often abrogated in tumor cells. Mdm2 and its homolog, Mdm4, are critical inhibitors of p53 that are often overexpressed in human tumors. In mice, loss of Mdm2 or Mdm4 leads to embryonic lethal phenotypes that are completely rescued by concomitant loss of p53.