NO EVIDENCE FOR OVEREXPRESSION OF THE P53 PROTEIN AND MUTATIONS IN EXONS 4-9 OF THE P53 GENE IN A LARGE FAMILY WITH ADENOMATOUS POLYPOSIS

Objective: Familial adenomatous polyposis coli (FAP) is an autosomal d ominant disease characterized by an early onset of numerous adenomatou s polyps of the colon and a high risk of colon carcinoma. The role of the p53 gene in the multistage process of FAP is as yet poorly defined . In the present study, a large family with evidence of polyposis and colon cancer was screened for the mutations of the p53 gene and protei n overexpression, Methods: We examined p53 protein expression from ind ividuals with immunohistochemical techniques using monoclonal antibody PAb1801, Polymerase chain reaction products of exons 4-9 of the p53 w ere examined from individuals by single strand, conformational polymor phism analysis. Results: We could find no evidence of overexpression a nd mutations of the p53 in any lesion including adenomas and carcinoma s. Conclusion: We found that p53 gene alterations do not contribute to the genesis of adenoma or carcinoma of FAP patients for this large fa mily examined. (Am J Gastroenterol 1998; 93:1524-1526. (C) 1998 by Am, Cell. of Gastroenterology).