Fig. 2

p53 in the control of mRNA stability. p53 can transcriptionally regulate Zmat3 by binding a p53-responsive element in the first intron of Zmat3 gene. Zmat3 is localised in the nucleus and can bind AU-rich region of CD44 mRNAs. The binding on the long and oncogenic CD44 isoform (CD44v) promotes its degradation by mRNA decay process. Conversely, by binding the shorter and non-oncogenic isoform (CD44s) Zmat3 promotes the mRNA stabilization. In this context, modulating the expression of Zmat3, p53 regulates the balance of CD44 isoforms