A codon 248 p53 mutation retains tumor suppressor function as shown by enhancement of tumor growth by antisense p53

Codon 248 in domain iv of the highly conserved region of the p53 gene is a frequent site of mutations associated with sporadic cancers and the familial cancer syndrome (Li-Fraumeni syndrome). Therefore, a characterization of the functional significance of a codon 248 mutation is of interest. We used antisense RNA methodology to study the role of the wild-type and mutated p53 gene in cell growth and tumorigenesis. We introduced wild-type p53 complementary DNA in sense or antisense orientation under control of a beta-actin promoter into human non-small cell lung cancer cell line H322a which has a codon 248 mutation (G to T) and WTH226b which has wild type p53. The biological properties and p53 expression of stable G418-resistant clones were analyzed. We observed that in both cell lines antisense RNA expression significantly reduced p53 mRNA and protein production; it also caused increases in growth rate in cell cultures and in tumorigenicity in nu/nu mice for both cell types, suggesting that the mechanism by which p53 suppresses cell proliferation and tumorigenesis is not always abrogated by a codon 248 mutation.