The factors which cause the cell to stop growing include: DNA damage, aging, mitochondrial dysfunction, nutrient deprivation, oncogenic pathway activation, radiation, or insufficient growth factors.
DNA damage, inadequate nutrient supply, or insufficient growth damage can trigger the activation of tumor suppressor genes (e.g. p53). p53 induces cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis via the transactivation of its target genes.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and cell senescence are closely interconnected to one another and occur due to aging. Senescent cells accumulate with aging in many mammalian and non-mammalian tissues. The most prominent feature of mitochondrial dysfunction in aging tissues and senescent cells is a decrease in the respiratory capacity per mitochondria along with a decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (at a stable rate).
Radiation is another cause of cell senescence, as high doses of radiation as therapeutics are able to kill cancer cells or slow their growth by damaging their DNA.
Cancer cells whose DNA is damaged beyond repair ultimately stop dividing or die.
UV radiation from the sun also kills skin cells because of the accumulation of DNA damage overtime.