PUMA (p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis)

PUMA (p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis) is a protein that plays a crucial role in regulating cell death, specifically a process called apoptosis, which is the body's way of eliminating damaged or unhealthy cells. PUMA is activated by the p53 protein, often referred to as the "guardian of the genome," which detects DNA damage. When activated, PUMA helps trigger the self-destruction of cells that could turn cancerous. This function makes PUMA important in cancer biology and potential therapies, as promoting its action could help eliminate cancerous cells while preserving healthy ones.