湖南地区汉族人群p53基因第72位密码子多态性与宫颈鳞癌的相关性

目的：探讨宫颈组织p53基因第72位密码子的多态性及分析第72位密码子的多态性与湖南地区汉族人群宫颈鳞癌的相关性。方法：采用PCR方法扩增101例正常宫颈和150例宫颈鳞癌石蜡组织p53基因第72位密码子基因,回收目的片段进行测序。采用SPSS11．5软件分析p53基因第72位密码子的多态性。结果：p53第72位密码子基因测序结果显示,在宫颈鳞癌组织中Arg／Arg、Pro／Pro、Arg／Pro所占比例分别为40．66％、16．67％、42．67％;在正常宫颈组织中Arg／Arg、Pro／Pro、Arg／Pro所占比例分别为47．53％、7．92％、44．55％。统计学分析结果显示,Arg／Arg和Arg／Pro基因型在宫颈鳞癌和对照组中的表达差异没有统计学意义（P〉0．05）;Pro／Pro基因型在宫颈鳞癌组中所占比例显著高于正常宫颈组织（P〈0．05）。结论：p53基因第72位密码子Pro／pro基因型是湖南地区女性发生宫颈鳞癌易感因素。     

Germline polymorphisms of glutathione-S-transferase GSTM1, GSTT1 and p53 codon 72 in cervical carcinogenesis

The clinical significance of glutathione-S-transferase GSTM1, GSTT1 and p53 codon 72 polymorphisms in cervical carcinogenesis was investigated. Germline polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTT1 and p53 codon 72 together with human papillomavirus (HPV) types were examined in a total of 457 blood and cervical smear samples from normal healthy women and the patients with premalignant and malignant cervical lesions. The 167 patients with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), 49 with high-grade SIL (HSIL) and 83 with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) had significantly higher frequency of high-risk HPV than 158 controls. The 49 patients with HSIL and 83 with SCC had statistically higher frequency of null GSTT1 genotype than 158 controls. There was an increased odds ratio for null GSTT1 genotype in HSIL and SCC cases compared with controls among 191 patients with high-risk HPV. The 67 cases with HPV types 16 and/or 18 had higher frequency of the GSTT1 null genotype than 186 with other types of HPV. There was no statistical difference in the polymorphic frequency of GSTM1 and p53 codon 72 genotypes between SILs and controls with or without high-risk HPV. These results suggest that GSTT1 null genotype may increase the risk of cervical cancer particularly in the cases with high-risk HPV types in a Japanese population.     

湖南地区汉族人群p53 基因第72 位密码子多态性与宫颈鳞癌的相关性

目的:探讨宫颈组织p53基因第72位密码子的多态性及分析第72位密码子的多态性与湖南地区汉族人群宫颈鳞癌的相关性。方法:采用PCR方法扩增101例正常宫颈和150例宫颈鳞癌石蜡组织p53基因第72位密码子基因,回收目的片段进行测序。采用SPSS 11.5软件分析p53基因第72位密码子的多态性。结果:p53第72位密码子基因测序结果显示,在宫颈鳞癌组织中Arg/Arg、Pro/Pro、Arg/Pro所占比例分别为40.66%、16.67%、42.67%;在正常宫颈组织中Arg/Arg、Pro/Pro、Arg/Pro所占比例分别为47.53%、7.92%、44.55%。统计学分析结果显示,Arg/Arg和Arg/Pro基因型在宫颈鳞癌和对照组中的表达差异没有统计学意义(P>0.05);Pro/Pro基因型在宫颈鳞癌组中所占比例显著高于正常宫颈组织(P<0.05)。结论:p53基因第72位密码子Pro/pro基因型是湖南地区女性发生宫颈鳞癌易感因素。     

Detection of p53 protein and Ki-67 proliferation antigen in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative cervical lesions by immunohistochemical double-staining

In HPV-associated genital lesions, low or absent expression of p53 has been attributed to the rapid degradation of p53 through its binding with HPV E6 protein. In this study, we examined p53 protein expression with two antibodies (CM1 polyclonal and PAb 1801 monoclonal antibodies), and Ki-67 proliferation antigen (monoclonal antibody) using an immunohistochemical (IHC) double-staining technique in 77 HPV-positive cervical lesions (HPV6, HPV11, HPV16, HPV18, HPV31, and HPV33) and in 15 HPV-negative cases. p53 protein expression was detected in 36/92 (39.1%) of the specimens. of the p53-positive cases, 80.6% (29/36) were HPV-positive samples, including 10/23 (43.5%) of HPV16- and 3/10 (30%) of HPV18-positive biopsies. In 52.8% of the p53-positive samples, the expression was found in less than 5% of the basal cells which were also positive for Ki-67.
Ki-67 proliferation marker was found in 91/92 specimens, most intensely in those infected by HPV16. p53 was more abundant in progressive or persistent lesions, but no differences were found between HPV-positive and HPV-negative samples. the positive IHC double-staining of both p53 and Ki-67 proliferation antigen in the same basal (and parabasal) cells indicates that these two normal cell-cycle proteins are being expressed while the cells are entering from the G₁ to the S phase of the cell cycle. Since the latter property is only attributed to the wild-type p53 (but not to mutated p53), the p53 protein detected in HPV lesions by IHC is likely to be the wild-type p53 rather than mutated p53, and the result was also confirmed by using p53 mutant specific antibody PAb 240. Accordingly, the concept of HPV inactivating the wild-type p53 protein should be re-examined, and other mechanisms for HPV-mediated carcinogenesis should be considered.     

Association of p53 and MDM2 polymorphisms with risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)

PurposeThough polymorphisms of the tumor suppressor gene p53 have been extensively investigated in numerous tumors, particularly tumors associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, the results remain controversial. Our previous study showed that HPV serostatus is not an independent risk factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in nonsmokers and nondrinkers. Given the roles of p53 and HPV E6 as well as MDM2 oncoproteins in p53 degradation, we validated the association of p53 and MDM2 polymorphisms with ESCC risk stratified by HPV16 sero-status.MethodsSingle nucleotide polymorphisms of p53 Arg72Pro (rs1042522) and MDM2 (rs937283) in 307 ESCC patients and 311 healthy controls were genotyped. The presence or absence of HPV16 in serum was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the possible associations of p53 and MDM2 polymorphisms with ESCC risk stratified by HPV16 sero-status.ResultsPatients carrying p53 Arg/Arg or Arg/Pro had a higher risk of esophageal SCC (P < 0.001, Odds ratio [OR] 4.98, 95% confidential interval [CI] 3.46–7.17), however, not found in MDM2 rs937283. The risk of esophageal SCC increased significantly among patients carrying p53 Arg/Arg, or Arg/Pro and HPV16-seropositivity (P < 0.001, OR 9.33, 95% CI 5.44–16.0), but not for MDM2 rs937283. The risk of esophageal SCC was further elevated among patients carrying Arg/Arg or Arg/Pro and HPV16-seropositivity who were smokers (P < 0.001, OR 27.05, 95% CI 11.06–66.16) or drinkers (P < 0.001, OR 13.20, 95% CI 5.74–30.38).ConclusionHPV16 seropositivity synergized with p53 Arg/Arg or Arg/Pro and increased ESCC risk, especially in smokers or drinkers.     

Genetic susceptibility to infection with human papillomavirus and development of cervical cancer in women in Brazil

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is considered to be a necessary but not sufficient cause for cervical cancer and, therefore, other factors contribute to the carcinogenic process. A hereditary component for this neoplasia has been reported and several studies indicate that genetic background of the host is important for cervical cancer susceptibility. Among genetic factors that could participate in the susceptibility to this tumor and disease outcome, polymorphic genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), as well as a particular polymorphism in the p53 gene have been intensely investigated. From our analysis of 613 samples in Brazil, we found evidence to indicate that different polymorphic human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes are involved in the clearance and maintenance of HPV infection. In addition, the homozygous codon 72 p53-Arg gene allele is associated with susceptibility to HPV-associated cervical carcinogenesis. However, supportive and opposing data have been reported in different populations. Therefore, international collaborative studies need to be conducted to define the consistency of the associations described.     

Combined effects of leukocyte telomere length,p53 polymorphism and human papillomavirus infection on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a Han Chinese population

Telomere shortening has been suggested to be a genetic predictor for various cancers. However, evidences about this point with respect to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Han Chinese populations remain limited. Our previous study demonstrated that p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism was associated with the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related ESCC. Telomeres and p53 play important roles in maintaining genomic stability and regulating the cell cycle. HPV impacts both telomere length stabilization and p53 degradation. Given the roles of the three factors, we evaluated leukocyte telomere length, p53 variants and HPV-16 serology to examine the potential associations between them and ESCC risk in a case–control study with 308 patients and 309 cancer-free controls matched by age and sex. Compared with long telomere length, short telomere length was significantly associated with an increased risk of ESCC (adjusted OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.41–2.80). Moreover, this association was enhanced when combined with HPV-16 seropositivity and p53 Arg/Arg or Arg/Pro genotypes. Notably, individuals with short telomere length, Arg/Pro or Arg/Arg genotypes and HPV-16 seropositivity had a 12.08-fold (95% CI 5.49–26.56) increased risk of ESCC compared to those with none of the three investigated risk factors. Taken together, these results indicate that short telomere length in peripheral blood leukocytes is a biomarker for ESCC risk, and has statistically additive effects with p53 variants and HPV seropositivity with regard to the risk of ESCC in a Han Chinese population.     

Significance of high-risk human papillomavirus detection by polymerase chain reaction in primary cervical cancer screening

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the incidence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to assess its diagnostic usefulness in primary cervical screening. PCR testing for HPV type 16, 18, 31 and 33 was performed on 1305 specimens obtained during routine cervical cancer screening. We analysed the concurrent cervical smears and biopsy, and correlated them with the HPV infection status. We also evaluated histologically-proven cases with ASCUS smears according to HPV infection. HPV DNA was identified in eight (0.7%) of 1144 cytologically normal patients; nine (10.5%) of 86 ASCUS; seven (25.0%) of 28 LSIL; 26 (78.8%) of 33 HSIL; and in all of three squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). HPV positivity was significantly associated with cytohistological diagnosis for HSIL of more. In addition, HPV-positive ASCUS cases were found to be associated with histological abnormality rather than HPV-negative. The results indicate that high-risk HPV testing by PCR could be a useful adjunct tool for Pap smear in primary cervical screening. The combination of Pap smear and high-risk HPV testing by PCR might reduce unnecessary colposcopy-guided biopsy of women with cytological diagnosis of ASCUS.     

P53 Codon 72多态性、P53表达与宫颈癌放疗敏感性相关性的研究

目的：研究P53 Codon 72多态性、P53的表达与宫颈癌放疗敏感性的相关性。方法：Ib2期宫颈癌患者274例,术前192Ir腔内后装4次,A点放疗剂量2400cGy,一周2次,共2周。治疗后14d进行广泛性子宫切除。据术后病理放疗反应HE染色结果分为放疗敏感与放射抗拒两组。免疫组化sP法检测P53蛋白在治疗前宫颈癌组织中的表达,分析放疗敏感与放射抗拒两组P53蛋白表达差异有无显著性意义;采用PCR后测序的方法检测治疗前P53第72密码子的基因型频率多态性（P53 Codon 72）。分析放疗敏感与放射抗拒两组中各P53 Codon 72基因型的差异有无显著性意义。结果：放疗抗拒组与放疗敏感组相比。P53高表达的比例显著高于P53低表达的比例（P=O．00081）。P53 Codon 72多态性分析,Pro／Pro与Arg／Arg、Pro／Pro与Arg／Pro在放疗敏感组与放疗抗拒组的分布差异显著（P值分别为P=0．009和P=0．032）;Arg／Arg与Arg／Pro,在放疗敏感组与放疗抗拒组的分布无显著差异（P=O．503）。结论：P53Codon72多态性和P53蛋白与宫颈癌放疗敏感性有相关性,可以作为早期宫颈癌放疗敏感性的预测指标。     

Meta-analysis demonstrates no association between p53 codon 72 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk

We examined whether p53 codon 72 polymorphism confers prostate cancer risk by conducting a meta-analysis. Two investigators independently searched the Pubmed, Embase and CBM databases. This meta-analysis was made of seven case-control studies, that included 892 prostate cancer cases and 1020 healthy controls. Meta-analysis results based on all the studies showed no significant association between p53 codon 72 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk in the comparisons of Pro allele vs Arg allele; Pro/Pro + Pro/Arg vs Arg/Arg; Pro/Pro vs Pro/Arg + Arg/Arg; Pro/Pro vs Arg/Arg, and Pro/Arg vs Arg/Arg [odds ratio (OR) = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.87-1.36, P = 0.47; OR = 1.22, 95%CI = 0.86-1.73, P = 0.27; OR = 1.03, 95%CI = 0.62-1.72, P = 0.91; OR = 1.22, 95%CI = 0.66-2.26, P = 0.52; OR = 1.25, 95%CI = 0.84-1.87, P = 0.27, respectively]. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, no association was found between p53 codon 72 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk both in Caucasian and Asian populations. We found no association between p53 codon 72 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk.     

Association of p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism with gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

Background: p53 tumor suppressor gene Arg72Pro polymorphism has been associated with gastric cancer. However, results were inconsistent. We performed this meta-analysis to estimate the association between p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism and gastric cancer.

Methods: An electronic search of PubMed was conducted to select studies. Studies containing available genotype frequencies of Arg72Pro were chosen, and the association was assess by pooled odds ratio (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CIs).

Results: The meta-analysis suggested that the p53 Arg72Pro was associated with the gastric cancer risk (Additive model: OR = 1.149, 95% CI = 1.045–1.263, p = 0.004; Dominant model: OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.049–1.328, p = 0.006; Recessive model: OR = 1.202, 95% CI = 1.013–1.427, p = 0.035) in Asian subgroup.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism is associated with increased risk of gastric cancer in Asians.     

The associations of p53 overexpression with p53 codon 72 genetic polymorphism in esophageal cancer

Variations in p53 codon 72 have been identified as significant predisposing factors for various cancers, but molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated associations of p53 overexpression with codon 72 variants and other factors with esophageal cancer. Status of p53 overexpression was determined by immunohistochemical staining. Codon 72 polymorphisms and mutation of p53 was identified by PCR-RFLP and direct sequencing from exons 4 to 9, respectively. We evaluated 126 patients who underwent esophagectomy in the National Taiwan University Hospital, and found that the status of p53 overexpression was significantly influenced by presence of codon 72 polymorphisms. After adjustment for other possible confounders, the incidence of p53 overexpression was significantly decreased in patients with Pro/Pro genotype with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.21 (95% CI: 0.067-0.64) (p = 0.0065) compared with incidence in patients with Arg/Arg genotype. The incidence of p53 overexpression was additively increased with environmental exposure to cigarette smoke, alcohol, and areca quid. When compared with individuals exposed to only one of these environmental risk factors, patients who had exposure to two or three risk factors had ORs of 6.11 (95% CI: 1.80-20.75) and 6.22 (95% CI: 1.81-21.34) for p53 overexpression, respectively. Elderly patients (age >70 years) were also more likely to have p53 overexpression, with an OR of 5.63 (95% CI: 1.53-20.64) compared with overexpression among patients aged less than 55 years. Forty-one patients received further evaluation of p53 mutation. There was also a higher incidence of, but without reaching a statistical significance, p53 mutation in patients with p53 overexpression (OR[95% CI]: 2.18 [0.52-9.6]) and codon 72 Arg/Arg genotype (OR [95% CI] of 0.8 [0.13-4.2], comparing genotypes of Pro/Pro and Arg/Pro with Arg/Arg). Our data provide the first observations that the presence of p53 codon 72 variants can be a significant factor influencing p53 overexpression in esophageal cancer, with overexpression also influenced by combined or prolonged environmental exposures.     

The genetic association study of TP53 polymorphisms in Saudi obese patients

Obesity is a multifactorial metabolic disorder characterized by low grade chronic inflammation. Rare and novel mutations in genes which are vital in several key pathways have been reported to alter the energy expenditure which regulates body weight. The TP53 or p53 gene plays a prominent role in regulating various metabolic activities such as glycolysis, lipolysis, and glycogen synthesis. Recent genome-wide association studies reported that tumor suppressor gene p53 variants play a critical role in the predisposition of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Till date, no reports are available from the Arabian population; hence the present study was intended to assess the association between p53 variants with risk of obesity development in the Saudi population. We have selected three p53 polymorphisms, rs1642785 (C > G), and rs9894946 (A > G), and rs1042522 (Pro72Arg; C > G) and assessed their association with obesity risk in the Saudi population. Phenotypic and biochemical parameters were also evaluated to check their association with p53 genotypes and obesity. Genotyping was carried out on 136 obese and 122 normal samples. We observed that there is significantly increased prevalence p52 Pro72Arg (rs1042522) polymorphism in obese persons when compared to controls at GG genotype in overall comparison (OR: 2.169, 95% CI: 1.086-4.334, p = 0.02716). Male obese subjects showed three-fold higher risk at GG genotype (OR: 3.275, 95% CI: 1.230-8.716, p = 0.01560) and two-fold risk at G allele (OR: 1.827, 95% CI: 1.128-2.958, p = 0.01388) of p53 variant Pro72Arg respectively. This variant has also shown significant influence on cholesterol, LDL level, and random insulin levels in obese subjects (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, p53 Pro72Arg variant is highly prevalent among obese individuals and may act as a genetic modifier for obesity development among Saudis.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">TP53</Emphasis> gene polymorphism: Importance to cancer,ethnicity and birth weight in a Brazilian cohort

Arg72Pro SNP of p53 has been associated with many types of cancer as well as with survival and longevity. We evaluated the Arg72Pro SNP frequencies of a Brazilian birth cohort and their association with current, demographic and birth epidemiological parameters available. In 1982, all hospital births of Pelotas, southern Brazil, were identified and studied prospectively. In 2004–5, blood samples were collected and DNA extracted. PCR-RFLP was used to genotype the Arg72Pro SNP in 3794 individual samples of the Brazil birth cohort and DNA sequencing was performed to confirm the genotypes. The genotype distribution, which was in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, showed a predominance of the arginine amino acid with a frequency of 46.9% Arg/Arg, 42.2% Arg/Pro and 10.9% Pro/Pro. The allele frequency was 0.68 of Arginine and 0.32 of Proline. The Arg72Pro SNP genotype and allelic frequency were related to skin colour where proline amino acid was observed more among black subjects, while arginine amino acid was observed more among white subjects. The individuals without family history of cancer and those with low birth weight were associated with arginine amino acid. The Arg72Pro SNP was strongly associated with important epidemiological variables confirming that genetic profiles on cohort studies can improve our understanding of the susceptibility of diseases and its risk factors.     

Screening For High- and Low-Risk Human Papillomavirus Types In Single Routine Cervical Smears By Non-Isotopic In Situ Hybridization

Routine cervical smears (n = 262) from a Sexually Transmitted Diseases clinic were screened by non-isotopic in situ hybridization (NISH) stratifying human papillomavirus (HPV) infections into HPV6/11 (low risk) and HPV16/18/33 (high risk) categories. Of 188 patients with cytologically normal smears, HPV sequences were demonstrated in 41%. Of the 128 cases analysed by dual NISH, 16% contained low risk, 20% high risk and 5% both groups. In patients with cytological evidence of wart virus infection (WVI) only, 54% (n = 50) contained high-risk and 22% low-risk HPV types. The comparable incidences in CIN1/2 plus WVI (n = 24) were not significantly different: 54% and 17%, respectively. Cytological criteria underestimate the prevalence of HPV infection in patients with cytologically normal smears. This represents either 'occult' or 'latent' infection. The identical prevalence of HPVB16/18/33 in WVI only, and CIN1/2 plus WVI, suggests that the cytopathic effect induced by these HPVs may represent one end of a spectrum of morphological change which progresses to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).     

p53 codon 72 polymorphism and Hematological Cancer Risk: An Update Meta-Analysis

Background

Previous studies on the association of p53 codon 72 (Arg72Pro) polymorphism with hematological malignancies risk have produced conflicting results. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to define the effect of p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism on hematological malignancies risk.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Through searching PubMed databases (or hand searching) up to April 2012 using the following MeSH terms and keywords: “p53”, “codon 72” “polymorphism” and “leukemia”, or “lymphoma”, or “myeloma”, thirteen were identified as eligible articles in this meta-analysis for p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism (2,731 cases and 7, 356 controls), including nine studies on leukemia (1,266 cases and 4, 474 controls), three studies on lymphoma (1,359 cases and 2,652 controls), and one study on myeloma. The overall results suggested that p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism was not associated with hematological malignancies risk. In stratified analyses, significantly increased non-Hodgkin lymphomas risk was found in p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism heterozygote model (Arg/Pro vs. Arg/Arg: OR = 1.18, 95%CI: 1.02–1.35) and dominant model (Arg/Pro+Pro/Pro vs. Arg/Arg: OR = 1.18, 95%CI: 1.03–1.34), but no significant association was found between leukemia risk and p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism. Further studies showed no association between leukemia risk and p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism when stratified in subtypes of leukemias, ethnicities and sources of controls.

Conclusions/Significance

This meta-analysis indicates that the p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism may contribute to susceptibility to non-Hodgkin lymphomas.     

Human papillomavirus genotypes and the p53 codon 72 polymorphism in cervical cancer of Northeastern Thailand

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection including sub-strain identification was studied in patients with squamous cell cervical cancer (SCCA) in Northeastern Thailand. Subjects were 90 cases of SCCA and 100 healthy controls. Prevalence of high-risk group of HPV infection in the controls and the SCCA patients were 13.0% and 86.7%, respectively. The HPV infection significantly increased the risk for cervical cancer 43.5-fold (95% confidential interval: 17.5-110.6; P <0.00001). Among HPV carrier patients with SCCA (n = 78), HPV-16 was also prominent (70.5%) followed by HPV-18 (23.1%). There was no statistical difference in the subtype distribution between the SCCA and the control groups. There was no significant association between genotype distribution of the p53 codon 72 polymorphism and HPV infection. HPV infection was confirmed as a critical risk factor for cervical cancer development in Northeast Thailand. Since polymorphism of the p53 itself as well as in combination with HPV infection may not be a genetic risk for cervical cancer, much attention should be paid to other risk factors such as sexual behavior and smoking.     

p53 codon 72 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma in the Turkish population: a case–control study

The tumor suppressor p53 gene plays a crucial role in preventing carcinogenesis through its ability to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis following DNA damage and oncogene activation. A guanine (G)/cytosine (C) common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at second position of codon 72 in exon 4 of p53 gene determines a arginine (Arg) to proline (Pro) (Arg72Pro) aminoacidic substitution within the proline-rich domain of p53 protein. Arg72 and Pro72 allele are different from a biochemical and biological point of view and many reports suggest that they can modulate individual cancer susceptibility. To determine the association of the p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in a Turkish population, a hospital-based case–control study was designed consisting of 119 subjects with HCC and 119 cancer-free control subjects matched for age, gender, smoking and alcohol status. The genotype frequency of the p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism was determined by using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. Our data shows that the Pro/Pro genotype of the p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism is associated with increased risk of HCC development in this Turkish population (OR = 3.20, 95% CI: 1.24–8.22, P = 0.02). Furthermore, according to stratified analysis, a significant association was observed between the homozygote Pro/Pro genotype and HCC risk in the subgroups of male gender (OR = 3.01, 95% CI: 1.14–7.97, P = 0.03) and patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC (OR = 4.04, 95% CI: 1.46–11.15, P = 0.007). Because our results suggest for the first time that the Pro/Pro homozygote of p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism may be a genetic susceptibility factor for HCC (especially in the male gender and HBV-infected patients) in the Turkish population, further independent studies are required to validate our findings in a larger series, as well as in patients of different ethnic origins.     

Influence of Arg72Pro polymorphisms of TP53 on the response of buccal cells to radiotherapy

Polymorphisms in the TP53 gene codon 72 (Arg72Pro) influence apoptosis induction and DNA damage repair. We evaluated how variants of protein p53 (p53Arg and p53Pro) affect cell death and DNA damage repair by analyzing the frequencies of karyorrhexis and micronuclei. There were significant differences in the frequency of karyorrhexis between the three p53 genotypes (Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro, and Pro/Pro), between samples taken before and after radiotherapy, and between patients and controls. The frequency of micronucleated cells increased significantly after radiotherapy. There were no significant differences in the micronucleus frequency in healthy tissues of these patients compared to controls, or in the comparisons between the three genotypes. We conclude that Arg72Pro polymorphism influences cell apoptotic capacity. This is the first study investigating karyorrhexis and micronuclei, as indicators of apoptosis after radiotherapy, and how these indicators are influenced by the TP53 polymorphism Arg72Pro.