Background：CDKN1A(p21, CIP1, WAF1) is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. CDKN1A binds to and inhibits the activity of cyclin-CDK2 or-CDK4 complexes, and thus functions as a regulator of cell cycle progression at the G1 phase. The expression of CDKN1A is induced by wild-type but not mutant p53 protein, through which CDKN1A mediates the p53-dependent cell cycle G1 phase arrest in response to a variety of stress stimuli. CDKN1A can interact with proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), and plays a regulatory role in S phase DNA replication and DNA damage repair. CDKN1A was reported to be specifically cleaved by CASP3-like caspases, which thus leads to a dramatic activation of CDK2, and may be instrumental in the execution of apoptosis following caspase activation. Two alternatively spliced variants, which encode an identical protein, have been reported.
