Figure 2

p53 suppresses induced pluripotency. p53 is activated by multiple stimuli in cells undergoing reprogramming, including the oncogenic potential of the reprogramming factors, reprogramming-induced oxidative stress and DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs), and telomere shortening, which can ultimately block successful iPSC production. Therefore, the transient or partial inactivation of p53 might be required for cells undergoing reprogramming to complete their dedifferentiation into iPSCs, but this might also provide a window of opportunity for the accumulation of genetic abnormalities.