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What are the critical roles of p53 in senescence and aging?

Cellular senescence, a state of irreversible cell cycle arrest, is a powerful anti-tumor mechanism but also a driver of aging. The tumor suppressor protein p53 is a central regulator of cellular senescence and aging, exhibiting a multifaceted and sometimes paradoxical influence on lifespan. Its critical roles are context-dependent, shifting between beneficial and detrimental effects depending on the level and duration of its activation.