RNA-binding motif protein 38 (Rbm38), also called RNPC1 [RNAbinding region (RNP1, RRM) containing 1], is a target of the p53 family and modulates p53 expression via mRNA translation. To investigate the biological function of Rbm38 in vivo, we generated an Rbm38-null mouse model. We showed that mice deficient in Rbm38 exhibit signs of accelerated aging and are prone to hematopoietic defects and spontaneous tumors. To determine the biological significance of the p53-Rbm38 loop, we showed that Rbm38 deficiency enhances accumulation of p53 induced by ionizing radiation (IR) and sensitizes mice to IR-induced lethality in a p53-dependent manner. Most importantly, Rbm38 deficiency markedly decreases the tumor penetrance in mice heterozygous for p53 via enhanced p53 expression. Interestingly, we found that Rbm38 deficiency shortens the life span of, and promotes lymphomagenesis in, mice deficient in p53. These results provide genetic evidence that Rbm38 is necessary for normal hematopoiesis and for suppressing accelerated aging and tumorigenesis. Thus, the p53-Rbm38 axis might be explored for extending longevity and for tumor suppression.Rbm38 | p53 | aging | hematopoiesis | tumor suppression R NA-binding proteins (RBPs) are master regulators of RNA biogenesis and metabolism (1). Consistent with these crucial functions, RBPs are found to be altered in many human diseases, such as neurological disorders and muscular atrophy (2). Studies also suggest that RBPs form a complex network with oncoproteins and tumor suppressors and thus have profound impacts on tumor development and progression (3, 4).Rbm38, also called RNPC1, encodes an RBP and is expressed as two isoforms, Rbm38 with 239 aa and Rbm38b with 121 aa. Both Rbm38 and Rbm38b contain one RNA recognition motif (RRM), which shares a sequence similarity with the ones found in Musashi, HuR, and nucleolin (5). Rbm38 is known to interact with its target mRNAs and regulate their expression via mRNA stability. For example, Rbm38 is necessary for mRNA stability of p21, p73, GDF15, and HuR transcripts but suppresses mRNA stability of p63 and Mdm2 transcripts (5-10). Rbm38 is also found to regulate alternative splicing of the EPB41 and FGFR2 genes (11,12). Likewise, SUP-12, the Rbm38 ortholog in Caenorhabditis elegans, regulates alternative splicing of the ADF and cofilin genes (13-15). Additionally, Rbm38 is found to repress p53 mRNA translation via interaction with eIF4E on p53 mRNA (16). Interestingly, phosphorylation of Rbm38 at serine 195 by GSK3 abolishes its interaction with eIF4E and converts Rbm38 from a repressor to an activator of p53 mRNA translation (17). Furthermore, Rbm38 is found to modulate p53 activity by relieving microRNA-mediated repression of several p53 targets, including p21, DDIT4, LATS2, and Rbm38, itself (18).The biological function of Rbm38 is implicated in the cell cycle control, differentiation, and senescence (5, 16, 19). Consistently, altered expression of Rbm38 is found in many types of cancers. For example, Rbm38 overexpression is found in bre...