Potential dynamic analysis of tumor suppressor p53 regulated by Wip1 protein*

Abstract

The tumor suppressor p53 plays a key role in protecting genetic integrity. Its dynamics have important physiological significance, which may be related to the cell fate. Previous experiments have shown that the wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1 (Wip1) protein could maintain p53 oscillation. Therefore, we add Wip1 to remodel the p53 network. Firstly, we use the binomial τ-leap algorithm to prove our model stable under internal noise. Then, we make a series of bifurcation diagrams, that is, p53 levels as a function of p53 degradation rate at different Wip1 generation rates. The results illustrate that Wip1 is essential for p53 oscillation. Finally, a two-dimensional bifurcation diagram is made and the stability of some p53 dynamics under external noise is analyzed by potential landscape. Our results may have some implications for artificially interfering with p53 dynamics to achieve tumor suppression.