DUSP6 is a novel transcriptional target of p53 and regulates p53-mediated apoptosis by modulating expression levels of Bcl-2 family proteins

► p53 transactivates dual specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6) to regulate ERK1/2. ► Knock-down of DUSP6 expression inhibits p53-mediated cell death. ► Overexpression of DUSP6 increases the susceptibility to p53-mediated cell death.