p53 mutants have selective dominant-negative effects on apoptosis but not growth arrest in human cancer cell lines

A bidirectional expression vector that allowed equal transcription of clone d wild-type and mutant p53 cDNAs from the same vector was developed. The ve ctor was transfected into CaLu 6 lung carcinoma cells or Saos-2 osteosarcom a cells. All p53 mutants examined were recessive to wild-type p53 transacti vatioa of p21(WAF1/CIP1) but dominant-negative for transactivation of Bax. An examination of effects on growth arrest and apoptotic pathways indicated that all mutants were recessive to wild type for growth arrest but only th ree of seven mutants were dominant negative for induction of apoptosis.