P53 ABNORMALITIES AND GENOMIC INSTABILITY IN PRIMARY HUMAN BREAST CARCINOMAS

Abnormalities in the p53 tumor suppressor gene have been shown to affe ct cell cycle control and lead to genetic instability in cell lines of murine and human origin. We have examined genetic instability in 183 primary human breast carcinomas with and without p53 abnormalities. Mu tation analysis was performed by constant denaturant gel electrophores is and DNA sequencing, and abnormal protein expression was examined by immunohistochemical staining methods. Genetic instability was studied by detection of gene amplification, allelic loss, karyotype analysis, and fluorescent in situ hybridization. We found a significant associa tion between p53 abnormalities and genetic instability detected by the se methods.