TP53

Elephants carry 20 copies of TP53, compared to a single copy in humans. Elephants have over 100 times more cells than humans but do not develop cancer at the rate statistics would predict. TP53 is referred to as the guardian of the genome because of its central role in preventing malignant transformation. Environmental and medical insults are said to further suppress TP53 activity. TP53 is a tumor suppressor gene that detects DNA damage and triggers either cell repair or apoptosis. TP53 is described as a major protector of the genome. Impaired TP53 is presented as reducing the body's ability to identify unhealthy cells and stop damaged cells early. Redundant TP53 copies continue suppressing tumor formation even when some copies are functionally compromised. The article claims TP53 is damaged or functionally impaired in approximately half the population on average.