A Study of the p53 Tumor Suppressor Gene Mutations in Hepatocellular Carcinomas in Korean Patients.
- Author:
Jin Ho JEONG
1
;
Kwang Soo LEE
;
Yul Hi CHO
Author Information
1. Department of Surgery of Myongji Hospital Kwandong University.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Hepatocellular carcinoma;
p53;
PCR-SSCP
- MeSH:
Aflatoxin B1;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*;
Carrier State;
Cause of Death;
Codon;
DNA;
Epidemiologic Studies;
Exons;
Genes, Tumor Suppressor*;
Hepatitis B virus;
Humans;
Korea;
Mutation, Missense;
Polymerase Chain Reaction;
Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational;
Sequence Analysis, DNA
- From:Journal of the Korean Surgical Society
1998;55(5):726-736
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the second most common cause of death among cancers in Korea. Epidemiological studies have revealed the carrier state of the hepatitis B virus and the dietary intake of aflatoxin B1 as possible causative agents of this neoplasm, but the precise molecular bases are still unknown. METHODS: We examined 24 cases of human hepatocellular carcinomas in Koreans for the presence of p53 aberrations in exons 4 to 9 of the gene by using single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. RESULTS: Four (17%) of the tumors demonstrated a SSCP band shift, 1 in exon 6 and 3 in exon 7. All of the abnormal DNA fragments were further characterized by direct DNA sequencing. All the mutations were missense mutations. One was an A to G transition at the second nucleotide of codon 214; 2 were G to T transversions at the second nucleotide of codon 245; and one was a G to T transversion at the third nucleotide of codon 249, a mutational 'hot spot' at which mutations have been frequently found, especially when aflatoxin B1 plays an important role in the hepatocarcinogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the possibility of aflatoxin B1 being a causative agent of hepatocarcinogenesis in Korea can not be excluded.
