E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase that mediates ubiquitination of p53/TP53, leading to its degradation by the proteasome. Inhibits p53/TP53- and p73/TP73-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by binding its transcriptional activation domain. Also acts as an ubiquitin ligase E3 toward itself and ARRB1. Permits the nuclear export of p53/TP53. Promotes proteasome-dependent ubiquitin-independent degradation of retinoblastoma RB1 protein. Inhibits DAXX-mediated apoptosis by inducing its ubiquitination and degradation. Component of the TRIM28/KAP1-MDM2-p53/TP53 complex involved in stabilizing p53/TP53. Also component of the TRIM28/KAP1-ERBB4-MDM2 complex which links growth factor and DNA damage response pathways.

Ubiquitous. Isoform Mdm2-A, isoform Mdm2-B, isoform Mdm2-C, isoform Mdm2-D, isoform Mdm2-E, isoform Mdm2-F and isoform Mdm2-G are observed in a range of cancers but absent in normal tissues.

Note=Seems to be amplified in certain tumors (including soft tissue sarcomas, osteosarcomas and gliomas). A higher frequency of splice variants lacking p53 binding domain sequences was found in late-stage and high-grade ovarian and bladder carcinomas. Four of the splice variants show loss of p53 binding.

Belongs to the MDM2/MDM4 family.
Contains 1 RanBP2-type zinc finger.
Contains 1 RING-type zinc finger.
Contains 1 SWIB domain.

Region I is sufficient for binding p53 and inhibiting its G1 arrest and apoptosis functions. It also binds p73 and E2F1. Region II contains most of a central acidic region required for interaction with ribosomal protein L5 and a putative C4-type zinc finger. The RING finger domain which coordinates two molecules of zinc interacts specifically with RNA whether or not zinc is present and mediates the heterooligomerization with MDM4. It is also essential for its ubiquitin ligase E3 activity toward p53 and itself.

Phosphorylated in response to ionizing radiation in an ATM-dependent manner.
Auto-ubiquitinated; which leads to proteasomal degradation. Deubiquitinated by USP2 leads to its accumulation and increases deubiquitinilation and degradation of p53/TP53. Deubiquitinated by USP7; leading to stabilize it.

Nucleus > nucleoplasm. Cytoplasm. Nucleus > nucleolus. Expressed predominantly in the nucleoplasm. Interaction with ARF(P14) results in the localization of both proteins to the nucleolus. The nucleolar localization signals in both ARF(P14) and MDM2 may be necessary to allow efficient nucleolar localization of both proteins. Colocalizes with RASSF1 isoform A in the nucleus.