Homologs of the tumor suppressor p53, called p63
and p73, have been identified. The p63 and p73 family members
possess a domain structure similar to p53, but contain
variable C-terminal extensions. We find that some of the
C-terminal extensions contain Sterile Alpha Motif (SAM)
domains. SAM domains are protein modules that are involved
in protein–protein interactions. Consistent with
this role, the C-terminal SAM domains of the p63 and p73
may regulate function by recruiting other protein effectors.
