Related Experiment Videos
Human gliomas with wild-type p53 express bcl-2
L M Alderson1, R L Castleberg, G R Harsh
1Molecular Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown 02129.
Cancer Research
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Human gliomas often overexpress wild-type p53, suggesting a mechanism to evade apoptosis. This study found bcl-2 expression is linked to wild-type p53 in gliomas, indicating a potential role in tumor survival.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Human astrocytomas frequently overexpress wild-type p53, indicating a potential evasion of p53-mediated apoptosis in gliomas.
- Bcl-2 protein is known to inhibit apoptosis and is expressed in various human cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of bcl-2 in human gliomas.
- To determine if bcl-2 expression is associated with wild-type p53 in these tumors.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining for bcl-2 and p53 on 28 paraffin-embedded human gliomas (grades II, III, and IV).
- Analysis of p53 mutations using single-strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing.
Main Results:
- Bcl-2 was expressed in 16 out of 28 (57%) gliomas.
- Bcl-2 expression showed a significant association with wild-type p53 (P < 0.01).
- Among gliomas with p53 overexpression, bcl-2 was positive in all wild-type p53 tumors (7/7) but only one mutant p53 tumor (1/7).
Conclusions:
- Bcl-2 is frequently expressed in human gliomas.
- Bcl-2 expression is more common in gliomas harboring wild-type p53.
- These findings suggest a role for bcl-2 in the pathogenesis of gliomas with wild-type p53.