Mutational analysis of p53 and RB2/p130 genes in Malaysian nasopharyngeal carcinoma samples: a preliminary report

This study reports the results of mutation detection of tumour suppressor genes, p53 and RB2/p130 genes in Malaysian nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) studied by PCR-CSGE analysis and direct DNA sequencing method. Frequent sites of mutation in both genes (exons 5-8 of p53 and exons 19-21 of RB2/p130) were examined. Thirty-six NPC blood samples and three NPC cell lines were investigated for the presence of mutations. No mutation of p53 and RB2/p130 genes was identified in any of the blood samples. Nonetheless, there was an identical G-->4 C nucleotide change at codon 280 of p53 gene in all the cell lines. A larger study that includes biopsy tissues should be carried out to provide a more in-depth look into the pathogenesis of NPC in Malaysia.