The small molecule 2-phenylethynesulfonamide induces covalent modification of p53

p53 is a tumor suppressor protein which is either lost or inactivated in a large majority of tumors. The small molecule 2-phenylethynesulfonamide (PES) was originally identified as the inhibitor of p53 effects on the mitochondrial death pathway. In this report we demonstrate that p53 protein from PES-treated cells was detected in reduced mobility bands between molecular weights 95–220 kDa. Resolution of p53 aggregates on urea gel was unable to reduce the high molecular weight p53 aggregates, which were shown to be primarily located in the nucleus. Therefore, our data suggest that PES exerts its effects through covalent cross-linking and nuclear retention of p53. •p53 protein is in high molecular weight complexes in the nucleus of PES-treated cells.•PES is a drug that inhibits pro-apoptotic p53 action at the mitochondria.•We propose that PES action involves cross-linking and nuclear retention of p53.