MUTATION OF THE TUMOR-SUPPRESSOR GENE-TP53 IS NOT DETECTED IN PSORIATIC SKIN

We investigated the tumor-suppressor gene, TP53, in psoriatic skin at gene (GP53) and protein (p53) levels. No mutation was detected in the seven exons analyzed using a combination of polymerase chain reaction and single-strand conformation polymorphism techniques. In addition, b y immunohistochemistry using three different anti-p53 antibodies, no p ositive staining, reported to be associated with mutations and/or abno rmal expression of the TP53 gene, was observed in psoriatic skin biops ies, in contrast to recent reports. These results suggest that the pro liferative status of psoriatic keratinocytes does not implicate the TP 53 gene.