Codon 249 mutations of p53 gene in non-neoplastic liver tissues

AIM To study the significance of p53 gene in hepatocarcinogenesis through analyzing codon 249 mutations of p53 gene in non neoplastic liver tissues. METHODS Codon 249 mutation was detected using single stranded conformational polymorphism analysis and allele specific PCR in liver tissues from 10 cases of chronic hepatitis, 5 cases of cirrhosis and 20 cases of HCCs. RESULTS The detection rate of codon 249 mutation in chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and pericancerous tissues was 70% (7/10), 100% (5/5) and 70% (14/20), respectively by AS PCR. These mutations could not be detected by SSCP analysis. The detection rates were 65% (13/20) and 45% (9/20) in cancerous tissues by AS PCR and SSCP analysis. CONCLUSION Codon 249 mutations of p53 gene were very popular in non neoplastic liver tissues though the number of those mutant cells was only in subsection. Those mutations in cancerous tissues might take place in the stage before the formation of tumor.