In both DBA and the 5q‐ syndrome, the hematopoietic phenotype is at least partly linked to p53 activation, and animal models have confirmed p53 as a sensor of ribosome dysfunction (Volarevic et al, 2000; Sulic et al, 2005; Fumagalli et al, 2009; Barlow et al, 2010; Dutt et al, 2011; Jaako et al, 2011). This evidence concerns the gene TP53 and Diamond-Blackfan anemia.