p53, a DNA-binding, oligomerization domain- and transcription activation domain-containing tumor suppressor, upregulates growth arrest and apoptosis-related genes in response to stress signals, thereby influencing programmed cell death, cell differentiation, and cell cycle control mechanisms. In vivo phosphorylation at Ser315 has been observed following UV-irradiation, and a Ser315Ala mutant p53 has reduced activity as a transcription factor . Aurora A phosphorylates p53 at Ser315 in a cell cycle-dependent manner leading to MDM2-mediated ubiquitination/degradation of p53.
