SURF2 is a MDM2 antagonist in triggering the nucleolar stress response.

Cancer cells rely on high ribosome production to sustain their proliferation rate. Many chemotherapies impede ribosome production which is perceived by cells as "nucleolar stress" (NS), triggering p53-dependent and independent pathways leading to cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis. The 5S ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particle, a sub-ribosomal particle, is instrumental to NS response.