Aflatoxin sufferer and p53 gene mutation in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM:To study the p53 gene mutation and its relationship to aflatoxin B1 exposure in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODS: Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis method was used in 62 HCC samples, and DNA direct sequencing in another 45 HCC samples.RESULTS: In HCC and AFB1 high and low-risk areas, 36/52 (69%) and 2/10 (20%) cases were found losing the HaeIII allele respectively, suggesting one of the base G mutation at the p53 gene codon 249. Similar results appeared in DNA direct sequencing, 20/35 (57%) and 1/10 (10%) respectively mutated at the codon 249 third base G to C transversion.CONCLUSION: In HCC after AFB1 exposure, mutation of p53 gene is fixed at codon 249 third base and take the form of G to T transversion. This is a definite marker of mutation which is induced by AFB1 mutagen. It is applicable for molecular epidemiologic survey of the sufferers of AFB1 among HCC cases and for discovering more unknown natural AFB1 contaminated areas.