p53 enhances DOX-induced cardiac injury, in part, via enhancement of oxidative stress in mitochondria.

<p>The absence of p53 selectively prevents DOX-mediated increase in oxidative stress indicators, including 4HNE-adducted proteins in mitochondria but not in the nucleus. DOX-induced p53-dependent increased oxidative stress in mitochondria is associated with sustained activation of JNK1 and subsequent phosphorylation of Bcl-2 and release of beclin from the Bcl-2-beclin complex resulting in detrimental effect of autophagy (cellular injury).