The tumor-suppressor protein p53 is activated in response to numerous cellular stresses including DNA damage. p53 functions primarily as a sequence-specific transcription factor that controls the expression of hundreds of protein-coding genes and noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). While the role of protein-coding genes and miRNAs in mediating the effects of p53 has been extensively studied, the physiological function and molecular mechanisms by which p53-regulated lncRNAs act is beginning to be understood. In this review, we discuss recent studies on lncRNAs that are directly or indirectly regulated by p53 and how they contribute to the biological outcomes of p53 activation. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1410. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1410 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.