p53 is a key tumor suppressor. As a transcription factor

p53 accumulates in cells in response to various stress signals and selectively transcribes its target genes to regulate a wide variety of cellular stress responses to exert its function in tumor suppression. In addition to tumor suppression

p53 is also involved in many other physiological and pathological processes

e.g. anti-infection

immune response

development

reproduction

neurodegeneration and aging. To maintain its proper function

p53 is under tight and delicate regulation through different mechanisms

particularly the posttranslational modifications. The tripartite motif (TRIM) family proteins are a large group of proteins characterized by the RING

B-Box and coiled-coil (RBCC) domains at the N-terminus. TRIM proteins play important roles in regulation of many fundamental biological processes

including cell proliferation and death

DNA repair

transcription

and immune response. Alterations of TRIM proteins have been linked to many diseases including cancer

infectious diseases

developmental disorders

and neurodegeneration. Interestingly

recent studies have revealed that many TRIM proteins are involved in the regulation of p53

and at the same time

many TRIM proteins are also regulated by p53. Here

we review the cross-talk between p53 and TRIM proteins

and its impact upon cellular biological processes as well as cancer and other diseases.