Detection of p53 mutations in gynecologic tumors by means of a simple, nonradioactive minigel method of PCR-SSCP analysis

We studied 22 gynecological tumors for mutations in exons 5 through 8 of the p53 gene by means of SSCP analysis, using a simplified, nonradioactive technique developed at our laboratory. In order to test the procedure, we carried it out in parallel with the usual radioactive one. Two coincident mutations (in exons 5 and 8) were found by means of both methods. However, an additional one in exon 6 was found by means of our nonradioactive technique. This simplified method for SSCP-analysis of the p53 gene in human tumors is faster, easier and cheaper to perform than the conventional radioactive method, and yields equivalent results. It could be thus an excellent candidate for routine use in the clinical setting.