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Complexity of the mechanisms of initiation and maintenance of DNA damage-induced G2-phase arrest and subsequent G1-phase arrest: TP53-dependent and TP53-independent roles.

Through a detailed study of cell cycle progression, protein expression, and kinase activity in gamma-irradiated synchronized cultures of human skin fibroblasts, distinct mechanisms of initiation and maintenance of G2-phase and subsequent G1-phase arrests have been elucidated. Normal and E6-expressing fibroblasts were used to examine the role of TP53 in these processes. While G2 arrest is correlated with decreased cyclin B1/CDC2 kinase activity, the mechanisms associated with initiation and maintenance of the arrest are quite different. Initiation of the transient arrest is TP53-independent and is due to inhibitory phosphorylation of CDC2 at Tyr15. Maintenance of the G2 arrest is dependent on TP53 and is due to decreased levels of cyclin B1 mRNA and a corresponding decline in cyclin B1 protein level. After transiently arresting in G2 phase, normal cells chronically arrest in the subsequent G1 phase while E6-expressing cells continue to cycle. The initiation of this TP53-dependent G1-phase arrest occurs despite the presence of substantial levels of cyclin D1/CDK4 and cyclin E/CDK2 kinase activities, hyperphosphoryated RB, and active E2F1. CDKN1A (also known as p21(WAF1/CIP1)) levels remain elevated during this period. Furthermore, CDKN1A-dependent inhibition of PCNA activity does not appear to be the mechanism for this early G1 arrest. Thus the inhibition of entry of irradiated cells into S phase does not appear to be related to DNA-bound PCNA complexed to CDKN1A. The mechanism of chronic G1 arrest involves the down-regulation of specific proteins with a resultant loss of cyclin E/CDK2 kinase activity.

Cell Cycle↗

A TP53 polymorphism is associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer and with reduced levels of TP53 mRNA.

We undertook a case-control study to examine the possible associations of the TP53 variants Arg > Pro at codon 72 and p53PIN3, a 16 bp insertion/duplication in intron 3, with the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). The p53PIN3 A2 allele (16 bp duplication) was associated with an increased risk (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.10-2.18, P = 0.012), of the same order of magnitude as that observed in previous studies for other types of cancer. The Pro72 allele was weakly associated with CRC (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 0.98-1.84, P = 0.066). The possible functional role of p53PIN3 was investigated by examining the TP53 mRNA transcripts in 15 lymphoblastoid cell lines with different genotypes. The possibility that the insertion/deletion could lead to alternatively spliced mRNAs was excluded. However, we found reduced levels of TP53 mRNA associated with the A2 allele. In conclusion, the epidemiological study suggests a role for p53PIN3 in tumorigenesis, supported by the in vitro characterization of this variant.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Limited role of TP53 and TP53-related genes in myxoid liposarcoma.

AIMS: Circumstantial evidence suggests that genetic changes may lead to tumor progression within the myxoid liposarcoma tumors (MLTs) carrying non-random chromosomal translocation t(12;16). METHODS: To address this subject an immunophenotypic analysis, applying antibodies against proteins encoded by TP53, MDM2 and CDK4 genes, complemented by molecular analysis of eight suitable cases, was performed on 104 consecutive cases. Chromosomal translocations were assessed either by cytogenetic analysis or by RT-PCR in 9 suitable cases and chimeric transcripts were found in all cases but two pleomorphic liposarcomas. RESULTS: Based on immunophenotyping and tumor site, the case material consisted of three groups. The first one was made up of 92 non-retroperitoneal cases carrying a null p53, mdm2, cdk4 immunophenotype, which remained unchanged over the time of recurrences and along the gamut of histologic subtypes. The second group was represented by five p53+, mdm2-, cdk4- non-retroperitoneal cases, 4 of which were further analysed by PCR-SSCP for p53 mutation. The immunophenotypic profile of these cases, complemented by the molecular findings, supported a role of TP53 in tumor progression in three high-grade MLTs. The third group, consisting of 7 retroperitoneal cases, showed a heterogeneous immunophenotype, sharing immunophenotypic and molecular features with the well-differentiated/evoluted (dedifferentiated) liposarcoma group. CONCLUSIONS: TP53 mutations seem to play a role in tumor progression in a few cases of MLTs (2.8%) showing more aggressive histologic characteristics. The unexpected finding that a number of retroperitoneal LMTs display the immunophenotypic profile of the well differentiated/evoluted (dedifferentiated) liposarcomas, deserves further investigation.

DNA Mutational Analysis↗

TP53 in gastric cancer: mutations in the l3 loop and LSH motif DNA-binding domains of TP53 predict poor outcome.

The aim of this study was to clarify whether specific p53 mutations may have biological relevance in terms of disease relapse or death in gastric carcinomas (GC). Resected specimens from a consecutive series of 62 patients with GC undergoing potentially curative surgery were prospectively studied. The mutational status of exons 5-8 of the p53 gene was investigated in 62 cases using the PCR-SSCP and sequencing. Presence of microsatellite instability (MSI) was evaluated in 56 cases by analyzing loci highly sensitive of MSI. Twenty mutations of p53 were detected in 17 of the 62 cases analyzed (27%). Ten mutations (50%) occurred in highly conserved domains. According to the p53 specific functional domains: 4/20 mutations (20%) were in the L3 loop and 3/20 (15%) in LSH motif. Eight of the 56 GC resulted MSI-H, 5 (9%) MSI-L, and 43 (77%) MSI stable (MSS). None of the 8 (14%) MSI-H GC showed p53 mutations. p53 mutations were associated with intestinal histotype. Moreover, specific mutations in functional domain (L3 and LSH), together with advanced TNM stage, node involvement, depth of invasion, diffuse histotype, proved to be significantly related to quicker relapse and to shorter overall survival. Specific mutations in p53 functional domains, rather than any mutations in this gene, may be biologically more significant in terms of patients outcome, indicating that these mutations might have biological relevance to identify subgroups of patients at higher risk of relapse or death who might benefit from a more aggressive therapeutic approach.

Age Distribution↗

TP53 mutations are associated with a particular pattern of genomic imbalances in breast carcinomas.

TP53 mutations play an important role in the development of several cancers and are present in 20-40% of all breast carcinomas, contributing to increased genomic instability. In order to address the relationship of mutated TP53 to genomic complexity, the present study analysed 61 breast carcinomas for TP53 mutations and compared mutation status with the pattern of genomic imbalances as assessed by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Twenty per cent of the present series of breast carcinomas harboured TP53 mutations. An increasing number of abnormalities, as identified by CGH (higher genomic complexity), correlated significantly with mutant TP53. Among the chromosome arms most commonly altered (in more than 20% of the tumours), loss of 8p and gain of 8q were associated with TP53 mutations, whereas loss of 16q was associated with wild-type TP53. By performing supervised hierarchical clustering analysis of the CGH data, a cluster of chromosome imbalances was observed that showed differences between wild-type and mutant TP53 cases. Among these, loss of chromosome arm 5q revealed the strongest correlation with altered TP53. To investigate further the most commonly deleted region of 5q, gene expression patterns from two publicly available microarray data sets of breast carcinomas were evaluated statistically. The expression data sets identified potential target genes, including genes involved in ubiquitination and the known TP53 target CSPG2. The genomic complexity of breast carcinomas as assessed by CGH is associated with TP53 mutation status; breast cancers with TP53 mutations display more complex genomes than do those with wild-type TP53. The pattern of genomic imbalances associated with mutant TP53 is non-random, with loss of chromosome arm 5q being particularly closely associated with TP53 mutations.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Ionizing radiation enhances the expression of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene (NAG1) by increasing the expression of TP53 in human colon cancer cells.

The induction of apoptosis in cells of human colon cancer cell lines after gamma irradiation was investigated to determine whether apoptosis was mediated by TP53 and the subsequent expression of its downstream target, the NSAID-activated gene (NAG1). HCT116 (TP53(+/+)), HCT15 (TP53 mutant) and TP53 null HCT116 (TP53(-/-)) cells were irradiated with gamma rays, and apoptosis was measured at various times after irradiation. In HCT116 TP53(+/+) cells, apoptosis was increased after irradiation; the increase was dependent on the time after treatment and the dose of gamma rays. However, in HCT15 TP53 mutant cells and HCT116 TP53(-/-) cells, there were no remarkable changes in apoptosis. The expression of TP53 protein in HCT116 cells was increased after irradiation and was followed by an increase in the expression of NAG1 protein. In contrast, the expression of NAG1 protein in TP53 mutant cells and TP53(-/-) cells was not increased by the radiation treatment, suggesting that NAG1 was required for apoptosis. The expression of NAG1 increased apoptosis in HCT116 cells, but radiation treatment did not further increase apoptosis. The transfection of a NAG1 siRNA into HCT116 cells suppressed radiation-induced apoptosis and inhibited the induction of NAG1 protein without altering the expression of TP53. a NAG1 luciferase promoter construct that included both of the TP53 binding sites, was activated by radiation in dose-dependent manner, while the promoters lacking one or both of the TP53 binding sites in the NAG1 promoter activity either was less responsive or did not respond. The findings reported here indicate that gamma radiation activates the TP53 tumor suppressor, which then increases the expression of NAG1. NAG1 mediates the induction of apoptosis in human colorectal cells.

Apoptosis↗

Polymorphisms in XPD and TP53 and mutation in human lung cancer.

The pattern of somatic mutations in TP53 is distinct for particular cancers and carcinogenic exposures, providing clues to disease etiology, e.g. G:C-->T:A mutations in TP53 are more frequently observed in smoking-associated lung cancers. In order to investigate possible causes and mechanisms of lung cancer susceptibility differences, the TP53 gene was sequenced in a case-only study of lung cancers (206 men and 103 women). Our primary hypothesis was that the TP53 mutation spectrum is influenced by polymorphisms in genes involved in DNA repair and apoptosis. We observed a TP53 mutation frequency in exons 5-8 of 25%. Functional polymorphisms in XPD (Asp312Asn, rs1799793 and Lys751Gln, rs1052559), a protein required for nucleotide excision repair and with roles in p53-mediated apoptosis, were modestly associated with G:C-->T:A mutations in TP53 in lung tumors [Asp/Asn312 + Asn/Asn312 and/or Lys/Gln751 + Gln/Gln751 versus Asp/Asp312 + Lys/Lys751; odds ratio (OR) 2.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98-7.61], consistent with the role of this protein in repair of bulky carcinogen-DNA adducts. In addition, a TP53 polymorphism (Arg72Pro, rs1042522) with a known role in the efficiency of apoptosis was also associated with the presence of a TP53 mutation (Pro/Arg72 or Pro/Pro72 versus Arg/Arg72; OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.21-4.17) or a G:C-->T:A mutation in TP53 (Pro/Arg72 or Pro/Pro72 versus Arg/Arg72; OR 2.42, 95% CI 0.97-6.04). An interaction between the XPD variant alleles (Asn312 and Gln751) and the TP53 Pro72 allele was observed for TP53 mutations (any TP53 mutation P(int) = 0.027, G:C-->T:A TP53 mutation P(int) = 0.041). The statistical interaction observed in our study is consistent with the observed biological interaction for XPD and p53 in nucleotide excision repair and apoptosis. In conclusion, differences in TP53 mutation spectra in lung tumors are associated with several genetic factors and may reflect differences in lung cancer susceptibility and carcinogenesis.

Base Sequence↗

Cells with TP53 mutations in low grade astrocytic tumors evolve clonally to malignancy and are an unfavorable prognostic factor.

It is important to understand how low grade tumors recur and progress to malignant lesions since this dramatically shortens patient survival. Here, we evaluated the concept that malignant progression and poor prognosis of low grade astrocytic tumors are TP53 dependent through clonal expansion of mutated cells. TP53 status was established in primary and recurrent tumors from 36 patients with WHO grade II astrocytic tumors and two tumor types were found. Tumors from 14 patients (39%; type 1) had TP53 mutated cells, and 92% of these recurred with 57% progressing to malignancy. The evolution of TP53 mutated cells before and after progression was examined using a clonal analysis procedure in yeast. Malignant progression was accompanied by an increased percentage of mutant TP53 (red) yeast colonies resulting from monoclonal expansion of cells with mutated TP53. The presence of TP53 mutations in WHO grade II astrocytic tumors was associated with malignant progression (P=0. 034, chi2 test) and shorter progression-free survival (PFS; 47.6+/-9. 6 months for TP53-mutated tumors vs 67.8+/-8.2 months for TP53-wild type tumors, P<0.05, log-rank test). Tumors from 22 patients (61%; type 2) were without TP53 mutations, and 64% of these recurred without a change in TP53 status, although 41% progressed to malignancy. This suggests that TP53 mutation is not an initiating or progression event in the majority of low grade astrocytic tumors. Our study also indicates that irradiation for WHO grade II astrocytic tumors might be associated with poor outcome (P<0.0001) and this was independent of TP53 status. These findings have important implications in the clinical management of patients with low grade astocytoma and provide new support to the clonal evolution model for tumor progression.

Adolescent↗

TP53 deleted cells in de novo glioblastomas using fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Glioblastoma (GBM) has been known to have two distinct genetic pathways of tumorigenesis. Secondary GBM shows frequent TP53 mutation, but de novo (primary) GBM is usually independent of TP53 alteration. However, the subpopulation of TP53 altered cells in the latter tumor is obscure. In order to assess TP53 deleted cells in de novo GBM quantitatively, we performed dual color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for TP53 and centromere 17 in nine cases of de novo GBM with frozen surgical materials. Single TP53 signal cells indicating TP53 deletion were recognized in 8.7-35.6% (mean, 21.3%) among the nine cases. In addition, immunohistochemistry was performed for the Ki-67 antigen (MIB-1) and p53 protein in all nine cases. Labeling indices (LI) of MIB-1 ranged from 2.8 to 46.9% (mean, 20.8%). Between the group with the more dense subpopulation of TP53 deleted cells (15% or more) by FISH and the group with less subpopulation than the former, these LI of MIB-1 demonstrated statistically significant difference (respective means, 28.2% and 6.1%; P < 0.05). Conversely, LI of p53 protein shown to be 0-50.9% (mean, 24.9%) had no correlation with the subpopulation of TP53 deleted cells by FISH. Four cases who had higher LI of p53 protein (mean, 39.7%) than the subpopulation of TP53 deleted cells (mean, 12.7%), respectively, indicated the presence of many p53 protein immunoreactive cells without TP53 deletion. These results suggest that: (i) de novo GBM also has subpopulation of TP53 deleted cells; (ii) TP53 alteration, which may not be a major event, participates in cell proliferation of de novo GBM; and (iii) de novo GBM tends to have accumulation of wild-type p53 protein.

Adult↗

Mutations in exons 6 and 7 of TP53 gene correlate positively with serum tumor necrosis factor alpha independent of microsatellite instability in BAT26 gene in Egyptian patients with endometrial carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: Abnormalities in the TP53 gene are the most frequent genetic alterations in human cancers. The role and mechanism of TP53 mutations have been well studied in many types of human cancer. Similarly, the presence of microsatellite instability (MSI) in the DNA mismatch repair system (hMSH2) may provide evidence of faulty DNA mismatch repair. One of the most important locations of MSI is the BAT26 gene. In addition, deranged serum cytokines, especially elevated levels of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, have been found in many gynecological conditions. AIMS: The current study aimed at evaluating mutations in exons 6 and 7 of TP53 and the presence of microsatellite instability in BAT26 of the hMSH2 system in Egyptian patients with endometrial carcinoma. The study also evaluated whether there was a correlation between any of these genetic mutations/instability and the tissue expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors and the serum TNF-alpha level. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The current study included 2 groups: a control group comprising 20 healthy women aged 52.21 +/- 5.80 years attending the clinic for routine checkups and 40 patients with endometrial cancer aged 55.30 +/- 6.21 years. Mutations in TP53 and BAT26 were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and automated sequencing while serum TNF-alpha was measured using an ELISA technique. Estrogen and progesterone receptor expression in biopsy tissue was evaluated using immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Seven of the 40 patients (17.5%) were positive for TP53 gene alterations in exon 6, while 9 patients (22.5%) were positive for TP53 alterations in exon 7. Cases positive for TP53 mutations had higher tumor stages. Ten patients (25%) showed MSI in BAT26. Nearly all patients with mutations in BAT26 had a strong family history for endometrial cancer (chi2=13.33, p<0.05). There was no positive correlation between the presence of MSI in the BAT26 gene and mutations in the TP53 gene or high serum TNF-alpha levels. Cases positive for TP53 mutations had a significantly higher level of TNF-alpha than cases negative for TP53 mutations (p<0.05). Cases showing mutations in exon 6 or 7 of TP53 showed a significantly higher intensity of immunohistochemical staining for estrogen and progesterone receptor expression in biopsy tissue than cases negative for mutations. (chi2=8.11, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the development of endometrial carcinoma is probably mediated through a multi-step carcinogenesis pathway and mutation of TP53 does not necessarily result from the presence of microsatellite instability in BAT26. The high serum TNF-alpha levels detected in our patients may represent an immunological antitumor response that was particularly evident in cases positive for TP53 mutations.

Base Sequence↗

Complete sequencing of TP53 predicts poor response to systemic therapy of advanced breast cancer.

TP53 has been implicated in regulation of the cell cycle, DNA repair, and apoptosis. We studied, in primary breast tumors through direct cDNA sequencing of exons 2-11, whether TP53 gene mutations can predict response in patients with advanced disease to either first-line tamoxifen therapy (202 patients, of whom 55% responded) or up-front (poly)chemotherapy (41 patients, of whom 46% responded). TP53 mutations were detected in 90 of 243 (37%) tumors, and one-fourth of these mutations resulted in a premature termination of the protein. The mutations were observed in 32% (65 of 202) of the primary tumors of tamoxifen-treated patients and in 61% (25 of 41) of the primary tumors of the chemotherapy patients. TP53 mutation was significantly associated with a poor response to tamoxifen [31% versus 66%; odds ratio (OR), 0.22; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.12-0.42; P < 0.0001]. Patients with TP53 gene mutations in codons that directly contact DNA or with mutations in the zinc-binding domain loop L3 showed the lowest response to tamoxifen (18% and 15% response rates, respectively). TP53 mutations were related, although not significantly, to a poor response to up-front chemotherapy (36% versus 63%; OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.09-1.24). In multivariate analysis for response including the classical parameters age and menopausal status, disease-free interval, dominant site of relapse, and levels of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor, TP53 mutation was a significant predictor of poor response in the tamoxifen-treated group (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.13-0.63; P = 0.0014). TP53-mutated and estrogen receptor-negative (<10 fmol/mg protein) tumors appeared to be the most resistant phenotype. Interestingly, the response of patients with TP53 mutations to chemotherapy after tamoxifen was not worse than that of patients without these mutations (50% versus 42%; OR, 1.35, nonsignificant). The median progression-free survival after systemic treatment was shorter for patients with a TP53 mutation than for patients with wild-type TP53 (6.6 and 0.6 months less for tamoxifen and up-front chemotherapy, respectively). In conclusion, TP53 gene mutation of the primary tumor is helpful in predicting the response of patients with metastatic breast disease to tamoxifen therapy. The type of mutation and its biological function should be considered in the analyses of the predictive value of TP53.

Aged↗

TP53 mutational pattern in Spanish and Polish non-small cell lung cancer patients: null mutations are associated with poor prognosis.

Inactivation of TP53 tumor suppressor gene is the most frequent molecular alteration in NSCLC, involving up to 60% of cases. Furthermore, TP53 mutational spectrum is related to the type of mutagen exposure, as well as racial and/or diet differences. Nearly 95% of TP53 perturbations affect codons included within exons 5-8 which encode for almost the entire DNA-binding domain. In this study we addressed the possible prognostic value of the molecular alterations identified in exons 5-8 of the TP53 gene in DNAs from 151 paraffin-embedded NSCLC sections corresponding to 59 Spanish and 92 Polish stage I-IIIA resected patients. PCR/single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis revealed that the occurrence of TP53 exon 5-8 mutations was 17/59 (29%) in the Spanish cohort and 17/92 (18%) in the Polish group. However, when DNA sequencing analysis was performed, these frequencies were reduced because of the presence of SSCP-false positive, intronic and silent mutations and polymorphisms. Fifteen of the 59 Spanish NSCLC tumors (25%) harbored TP53 mutations affecting exons 5-8 coding sequences, whereas only 12 of 92 Polish neoplasms (13%) contained alterations in the central hydrophobic region of p53. Our results indicate that the occurrence of TP53 mutations affecting exon 5-8 coding sequences in some European NSCLC populations may be lower than previously reported, and that the TP53 mutational patterns of these cohorts differ somewhat. The Spanish NSCLC patients contained missense mutations (9/59, 15%) and a relatively high percentage of null mutations (5/59, 8%) while the Polish patients mostly harbored missense mutations (9/92, 10%) and only one tumor contained a null type (1/92, 1%). Moreover, most TP53 missense mutations in the Spanish group were located outside the conserved regions, whereas the same mutations in the Polish group affected conserved amino acids. Furthermore, the Polish patients harbored a high percentage of G-->A transitions (most of them at non-CpG sites), while G-->T transversions were predominant in the Spanish group. Our findings suggest that there may be different racial or exogenous factors in these two populations which may help to explain both the distinct TP53 mutational pattern and the lower frequency obtained in the Polish group. The presence of missense mutations did not confer a worse clinical outcome in these subsets of NSCLC patients. However, patients whose tumors contained null TP53 gene mutations had a 5 month median disease-free survival time in contrast with 42 months in those patients without mutations (P=0.008). These findings suggest that loss of p53 function may enhance tumor progression in NSCLC patients independently of whether dominant negative TP53 missense mutations are present.

Aged↗

Comparison of endogenous TP53 genomic status with clonogenicity and different modes of cell death after X irradiation.

Although extensive data indicate that the tumor suppressor TP53 modifies the radiation responses of human and rodent cells, the exact relationship between TP53 and radiation responsiveness remains controversial. To elucidate the relevance of endogenous TP53 genomic status to radiosensitivity in a cell-type-independent manner, different cells of 10 human tumor cell lines with different tissues of origin were examined for TP53 status. The TP53 status was compared with radiation-related cell survival parameters (D(q), D(0), SF2) and with the mode of cell death. Different modes of cell death were examined by measuring radiation-induced micronucleation, apoptosis and abnormal cells. Alterations of the TP53 gene were detected in eight cell lines. No splicing mutation was found. Five cell lines showed codon 68 polymorphism. Codon 72 alterations were found in four cell lines. "Hot spot" alterations were detected in only two of 10 cell lines. Although the cells differed widely in survival parameters (D(q), D(0), SF2) and modes of cell death (micronucleation/apoptosis/abnormal cells) after irradiation, significant cell-type-independent correlations were obtained between the multiple cell death parameter micronucleation/apoptosis/abnormal cells and SF2 (P < 0.001) and D(q) (P = 0.003). Moreover, cells with a wild-type TP53 gene were more resistant to X rays than cells with a mutated TP53 gene or cells that were TP53-deficient. The alterations within exons 5-10 of the TP53 correlated with a enhanced radiosensitivity. For the first time, we demonstrated a correlation between endogenous genetic alterations within exons 5-10 of TP53 and radiation-related cell survival and cell death. This indicates a new molecular relevance of TP53 status to intrinsic cellular radiosensitivity.

Apoptosis↗

TP53 alterations in relation to the cell cycle-associated proteins p21, cyclin D1, CDK4, RB, MDM2, and EGFR in cancers of the uterine corpus.

In the present study, TP53 alterations have been analysed and compared with the expression of the proteins p21, cyclin D1, cdk4, RB, EGFR, and MDM2 in 53 cancers of the uterine corpus. TP53 gene mutations analysed by CDGE/DGGE and direct sequencing showed a TP53 gene mutation in 18 per cent of the cases. TP53 gene mutations were not significantly related to overexpression or down-regulation of any of the proteins. Immunohistochemically, there was an increased protein level of TP53 in 77 per cent, p21 in 36 per cent, cyclin D1 in 45 per cent, cdk4 in 77 per cent, EGFR in 8 per cent, and MDM2 in 32 per cent of the cases. Expression of RB protein was normal in all cancers. Significant association of protein expression was seen between TP53 and MDM2 (p=0.005) and p21 and MDM2 (p=0.001). Furthermore, there may be an association between TP53 and p21 (p=0. 038) and cyclin D1 and cdk4 (p=0.045). The results revealed increased levels of TP53 protein in all MDM2-positive cases that did not show TP53 mutations, indicating TP53 protein stabilization and inactivation by complex formation with MDM2. In summary, the high number of cases showing an increased level of TP53 and cdk4 proteins suggests that these proteins play an important role in the neoplastic process in cancers of the uterine corpus.

Carcinoma↗

Identification of the osteopontin gene as a direct target of TP53.

The TP53 tumor suppressor gene regulates a number of genes that are involved in cell-cycle inhibition, apoptosis, and maintaining genetic stability. Recently, two genes that have a role in immunosurveillance were identified as downstream targets of TP53. These genes, TAP1 and fractalkine, may contribute to suppress tumor growth through host immunosurveillance. It has been reported that the mouse secreted phosphoprotein osteopontin (Opn) is one of the key cytokines for type 1 immune responses mediated by macrophages. It also was reported that Opn may play a role in suppressing tumor growth in vivo. Here we identified Opn as a Tp53-target gene using mRNA differential display analysis of embryonic fibroblasts from Tp53-deficient mice. Furthermore, we found that Opn expression was upregulated by DNA damage-induced Tp53 activity and by adenovirus-mediated transfer of the human TP53 gene. In addition, a luciferase assay showed that the Opn gene has a functional Tp53-responsive element in its promoter region, and a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay confirmed interaction between the Opn promoter and Tp53 protein in vivo. These results suggest that OPN is a direct transcriptional target of TP53. The TP53-directed regulation of OPN expression suggests a novel model of TP53 participation in immunosurveillance, involving interaction with the host immune system to prevent damaged cells from undergoing malignant transformation.

Animals↗