Role of p53 in Cellular Stress Responses

Cellular stress responses are critical for maintaining homeostasis in eukaryotic organisms. One such response involves the activation of specific signaling pathways that help the cell to cope with damage, misfolded proteins, and other forms of stress. A key player in this response is the protein p53, often referred to as the 'guardian of the genome' due to its role in maintaining genomic integrity.

In addition to its involvement in repairing DNA and regulating the cell cycle, p53 influences cellular metabolism by modulating the transcription of various genes. Researchers are interested in the impact of p53 on apoptosis and autophagy during cellular stress conditions.

Based on this information, which of the following statements accurately describes the functional role of p53 specifically in the context of cellular stress responses?