The CDKN2 gene on chromosome 9p21 encodes the p16 inhibitor of cyclin
D/cyclin-dependent kinase 4 complexes. Mutations and deletions of CDKN
2 have been frequently identified in cell lines, whereas most primary
tumors have demonstrated a lower frequency of alteration. To assess th
e role of CDKN2 in endometrial tumorigenesis, 34 tumor samples were ex
amined for loss of heterozygosity at 9p21 and mutation in CDKN2. To id
entify tumors that had lost 9p21, samples were genotyped with markers
flanking the CDKN2 locus. The frequency of CDKN2 mutation in endometri
al carcinomas was determined by single-strand conformation variant ana
lysis and direct sequencing of variants. Of the 34 tumors examined, th
ree revealed loss of 9p21 sequences. Two samples were characterized by
point mutations in CDKN2, one of which also showed loss Of 9p21 seque
nces. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.