In cells or tissue that have been challenged by further stresses, as for example by overt ROS production, radiation, hypoxia, hypo/hyperthermia, metabolite shortages and imbalances, oncogene dysregulation, and virus/bacterial/parasite infections, the p53 family members, and in particular p53 itself, seem to mainly control repair, proliferative capacity and survival. The gene discussed is TP53; the disease is biological process involved in symbiotic interaction.