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p53 oncogene mutations in human prostate cancer specimens
H J Voeller1, L Y Sugars, T Pretlow
1Division of Medical Oncology, Lombardi Cancer Research Center, Washington, D.C.
The Journal of Urology
|February 1, 1994
Summary
p53 gene mutations are infrequent in primary prostate cancer. Immunohistochemistry and single-strand chain polymorphism analysis found low p53 mutation rates in prostate cancer specimens.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The p53 tumor suppressor gene plays a critical role in preventing cancer.
- Alterations in the p53 gene are common in many human cancers, but their frequency in prostate cancer is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency of p53 gene mutations in primary prostate cancer specimens.
- To assess the utility of immunohistochemistry and single-strand chain polymorphism (SSCP) analysis for detecting p53 alterations.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-five prostate cancer specimens were analyzed for P53 protein expression using immunohistochemical staining.
- DNA from 34 specimens underwent single-strand chain polymorphism (SSCP) analysis to detect mutations in p53 exons 5-8.
- Positive SSCP findings were confirmed by nucleotide sequencing.
Main Results:
- One of 85 specimens showed P53 protein positivity by immunohistochemistry.
- One of 34 specimens was positive for a p53 mutation by SSCP analysis, confirmed by sequencing.
- One lymph node metastasis sample showed detectable P53 protein.
Conclusions:
- p53 gene mutations appear to be low-frequency events in primary prostate cancer.
- The study suggests limited involvement of p53 mutations in the early stages of prostate cancer development.