Characterization of p53 gene mutations in basal-cell carcinomas: comparison between sun-exposed and less-exposed skin areas

Int J Cancer. 1996 Mar 15;65(6):778-80. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0215(19960315)65:6<778::AID-IJC12>3.0.CO;2-0.

Abstract

Mutations in the p53 gene in 32 basal-cell carcinomas (BCC) developed in Japanese patients were identified by the polymerase chain reaction and single-strand-conformation polymorphism analysis, followed by sequencing the DNA. Among 16 BCC developed in continuously sun-exposed areas, 6 tumors showed 7 base substitutions, most of which were G:C to A:T transitions, mainly at the dipyrimidine sites. Seven out of 16 BCC developed in less-exposed areas showed 8 base substitutions, but the majority (75.0%) of them were transversions. These results suggest that the mutation in the p53 gene plays a significant role in the tumorigenesis of BCC developed in less-exposed areas as well as those in sun-exposed areas in Japanese patients. There must be therefore causative factors other than UV irradiation for BCC in less-exposed areas.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Base Sequence
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / etiology*
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genes, p53 / radiation effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation*
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / etiology*
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / genetics*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational
  • Skin / radiation effects
  • Skin Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Sunlight / adverse effects*