Expression of the putative tumour suppressor gene, p73, in neuroblastoma and other childhood tumours

Background. The recently characterised p53 homologue, p73, has been mapped to chromosome 1p36, a region often found deleted in neuroblastoma. Although p73 has been implicated as a candidate tumour suppressor for neuroblastoma , mutations in the gene appear to be rare, thus suggesting of her mechanism s for its aberrant behaviour. Procedure., We analysed p73 gene expression i n a panel of primary neuroblastoma tumours and cell lines, as well as other tumours of childhood, using a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain, reac tion assay. Results. Although few-level p73 expression was detected in 44/4 5 primary neuroblastoma tumours, no association with prognostic markers cou ld be discerned. in no case was the level of p73 expression in the primary tumours as high as that observed in p73-expressing neuroblastoma felt lines . Expression of the p73 gene was also detected in 24/34 other childhood tum ours. Conclusion. Collectively the data raise doubts over the role of this gene as a tumour suppressor in neuroblastoma. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 36:48-51 , 2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss. Inc.