Down regulation of bcl-2 by p53 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and lack of detection of its specific t(14;18) chromosomal translocation in fixed tissues

H. J. Harn, L. I. Ho, C. A. Liu, G. C. Liu, F. G. Lin, J. J. Lin, J. Y. Chang, W. H. Lee

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45 Citations (Scopus)

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)317-323
Number of pages7
JournalHistopathology
Volume28
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1996
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Apoptosis
  • Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
  • bcl-2 protein
  • p53 protein

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Histology

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