Disclosed herein are methods of inhibiting the function of p53 in a cell by contacting the cell with an effective amount of a PP2A inhibitor. Also disclosed herein are processes for producing an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell by contacting a somatic cell expressing at least one gene that encodes a reprogramming factor with an amount of a PP2A inhibitor effective to produce the iPS cell; reversibly inhibiting p53 function during production of an iPS cell by contacting a somatic cell with an amount of a PP2A inhibitor effective to reversibly inhibit p53 function; increasing the likelihood of producing an (iPS) cell.