Codon 249 mutations of p53 gene in non-neoplastic liver tissues

AIM:To study the significance of p53 gene in hepatocarcinogenesis through analyzing codon 249 mutations of p53 gene in non-neoplastic liver tissues.METHODS:Codon 249 mutation was detected using single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis and allele-specific PCR in liver tissues from 10 cases of chronic hepatitis, 5 cases of cirrhosis and 20 cases of HCCs.RESULTS:The detection rate of codon 249 mutation in chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and pericancerous tissues was 70% (7/10), 100% (5/5) and 70% (14/20), respectively by AS-PCR. These mutations could not be detected by SSCP analysis. The detection rates were 65% (13/20) and 45% (9/20) in cancerous tissues by AS-PCR and SSCP analysis.CONCLUSION:Codon 249 mutations of p53 gene were very popular in non-neoplastic liver tissues though the number of those mutant cells was only in subsection. Those mutations in cancerous tissues might take place in the stage before the formation of tumor.