Abstract
High levels of bcl-2 protein have been found in a wide variety of human cancers. Since p53 gene inactivation occurs in over half of human cancers, it is possible that loss of p53-mediated repression of bcl-2 gene expression accounts, at least in part, for the frequent abnormalities in bcl-2 protein production seen in tumours. By using immunohistochemical methods, we have analysed thirty-three nasopharyngeal carcinomas for p53 and bcl-2 expression. We found an inverse correlation between the expression of these two proteins (P < 0.001). Moreover, we utilized universal oligonucelotide primers of a region 5' to the bcl-2 MBR and at the 3' end of J(H) segments to initiate a DNA polymerase chain reaction that amplified these bcl-2-J(H) junctures. Of the twelve nasopharyngeal carcinomas expressing bcl-2, none showed a t(14;18) chromosome translocation. These findings may indicate potential mechanisms by which bcl-2 regulates apoptosis.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 317-323 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Histopathology |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1996 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Apoptosis
- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
- bcl-2 protein
- p53 protein
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- Histology