Skip navigation

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/tp63/

TP63 gene

tumor protein p63

Normal Function

The TP63 gene provides instructions for making a protein called tumor protein p63 (also known simply as p63). The p63 protein functions as a transcription factor, which means it attaches (binds) to certain regions of DNA and controls the activity of particular genes.

The p63 protein interacts with other proteins to turn many different genes on and off at different times. The action of p63 helps regulate numerous cell activities, including cell growth and division (proliferation), cell maintenance, the process by which cells mature to carry out specific functions (differentiation), the ability of cells to stick to one another (cell adhesion), and the orderly self-destruction of cells (apoptosis).

The p63 protein plays a critical role in early development. It is especially important for the normal development of ectodermal structures, such as the skin, hair, teeth, and nails. Studies suggest that it also plays essential roles in the development of the limbs, facial features, urinary system, and other organs and tissues. In addition to its roles in development, the p63 protein appears to be necessary for the maintenance of various cells and tissues later in life.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip/palate syndrome

At least 40 mutations in the TP63 gene have been identified in people with ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip/palate (AEC) syndrome. This condition is a form of ectodermal dysplasia, which is a group of disorders characterized by abnormal development of the skin, hair, nails, teeth, and sweat glands. Other characteristic features of AEC syndrome include partial or complete fusion of the upper and lower eyelids (ankyloblepharon filiforme adnatum) and an opening in the roof of the mouth (a cleft palate), a split in the lip (a cleft lip), or both.

Most of the TP63 gene mutations responsible for AEC syndrome occur in regions of the p63 protein known as the sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain and the transactivation inhibitory (TI) domain. Mutations in these regions interfere with the ability of p63 to turn target genes on and off at the right times. However, it is unclear how these changes lead to abnormal ectodermal development and the specific features of AEC syndrome.

More About This Health Condition

Other disorders

Mutations in the TP63 gene cause several additional ectodermal dysplasias with features that overlap those of AEC syndrome. These conditions include ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, clefting (EEC) syndrome; acro-dermato-ungual-lacrimal-tooth (ADULT) syndrome; and limb-mammary syndrome (LMS). This group of disorders is characterized by varying combinations of ectodermal abnormalities (which affect the skin, hair, nails, teeth, and sweat glands), cleft lip and/or cleft palate, and malformations of the hands and feet.

Mutations in the TP63 gene have also been found to cause split hand/foot malformation type 4 (SHFM4), a condition involving hand and foot malformations without any other signs or symptoms. Additionally, TP63 gene mutations are a rare cause of cleft lip and/or cleft palate that occur without features affecting other parts of the body.

The TP63 gene mutations responsible for these conditions occur in various regions of the TP63 gene and affect the function of the p63 protein in different ways. Some of the known mutations may give the p63 protein a new, abnormal function (described as "gain-of-function" mutations) or lead to a version of the p63 protein that interferes with normal cell activities (described as "dominant-negative" mutations). These changes alter the ability of p63 to interact with other proteins, to turn target genes on and off at the right times, or both. It is unclear how abnormal p63 activity disrupts ectodermal development and leads to the specific features of the TP63-related conditions.

Other Names for This Gene

  • AIS
  • amplified in squamous cell carcinoma
  • chronic ulcerative stomatitis protein
  • CUSP
  • KET
  • NBP
  • p40
  • p51
  • p51A
  • p51B
  • p53CP
  • p63
  • P63_HUMAN
  • p73L
  • TP53CP
  • TP53L
  • TP73L
  • transformation-related protein 63
  • tumor protein 63
  • tumor protein p53-competing protein

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Celli J, Duijf P, Hamel BC, Bamshad M, Kramer B, Smits AP, Newbury-Ecob R, Hennekam RC, Van Buggenhout G, van Haeringen A, Woods CG, van Essen AJ, de Waal R, Vriend G, Haber DA, Yang A, McKeon F, Brunner HG, van Bokhoven H. Heterozygous germline mutations in the p53 homolog p63 are the cause of EEC syndrome. Cell. 1999 Oct 15;99(2):143-53. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)81646-3. Citation on PubMed
  • Koster MI. p63 in skin development and ectodermal dysplasias. J Invest Dermatol. 2010 Oct;130(10):2352-8. doi: 10.1038/jid.2010.119. Epub 2010 May 6. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • McGrath JA, Duijf PH, Doetsch V, Irvine AD, de Waal R, Vanmolkot KR, Wessagowit V, Kelly A, Atherton DJ, Griffiths WA, Orlow SJ, van Haeringen A, Ausems MG, Yang A, McKeon F, Bamshad MA, Brunner HG, Hamel BC, van Bokhoven H. Hay-Wells syndrome is caused by heterozygous missense mutations in the SAM domain of p63. Hum Mol Genet. 2001 Feb 1;10(3):221-9. doi: 10.1093/hmg/10.3.221. Citation on PubMed
  • Rinne T, Bolat E, Meijer R, Scheffer H, van Bokhoven H. Spectrum of p63 mutations in a selected patient cohort affected with ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip/palate syndrome (AEC). Am J Med Genet A. 2009 Sep;149A(9):1948-51. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.32793. Citation on PubMed
  • Rinne T, Brunner HG, van Bokhoven H. p63-associated disorders. Cell Cycle. 2007 Feb 1;6(3):262-8. doi: 10.4161/cc.6.3.3796. Epub 2007 Feb 3. Citation on PubMed
  • Rinne T, Clements SE, Lamme E, Duijf PH, Bolat E, Meijer R, Scheffer H, Rosser E, Tan TY, McGrath JA, Schalkwijk J, Brunner HG, Zhou H, van Bokhoven H. A novel translation re-initiation mechanism for the p63 gene revealed by amino-terminal truncating mutations in Rapp-Hodgkin/Hay-Wells-like syndromes. Hum Mol Genet. 2008 Jul 1;17(13):1968-77. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddn094. Epub 2008 Mar 25. Citation on PubMed
  • Sutton VR, van Bokhoven H. TP63-Related Disorders. 2010 Jun 8 [updated 2021 Apr 1]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2024. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK43797/ Citation on PubMed
  • van Bokhoven H, Hamel BC, Bamshad M, Sangiorgi E, Gurrieri F, Duijf PH, Vanmolkot KR, van Beusekom E, van Beersum SE, Celli J, Merkx GF, Tenconi R, Fryns JP, Verloes A, Newbury-Ecob RA, Raas-Rotschild A, Majewski F, Beemer FA, Janecke A, Chitayat D, Crisponi G, Kayserili H, Yates JR, Neri G, Brunner HG. p63 Gene mutations in eec syndrome, limb-mammary syndrome, and isolated split hand-split foot malformation suggest a genotype-phenotype correlation. Am J Hum Genet. 2001 Sep;69(3):481-92. doi: 10.1086/323123. Epub 2001 Jul 17. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Yang A, Kaghad M, Wang Y, Gillett E, Fleming MD, Dotsch V, Andrews NC, Caput D, McKeon F. p63, a p53 homolog at 3q27-29, encodes multiple products with transactivating, death-inducing, and dominant-negative activities. Mol Cell. 1998 Sep;2(3):305-16. doi: 10.1016/s1097-2765(00)80275-0. Citation on PubMed

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.