Expression of p53 alternative splicing isoforms in gastric carcinoma

Objective To investigate the mRNA expression of p53 splice variants-p53β,p53γ,Δ133p53,Δ133p53β and Δ133p53γ in gastric carcinoma tissues and adjacent non-cancerous tissues,and explore their roles in tumor genesis,development and progression of gastric carcinoma.Methods Fifteen pairs of fresh gastric carcinoma tissues and their adjacent non-cancerous tissues were obtained from radical gastrectomy in the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical College from March 2010 and June 2010.All the samples were examined for mRNA expression levels of p53 splice variants: p53β,p53γ,Δ133p53,Δ133p53β and Δ133p53γ by nested RT-PCR.Statistical analysis was performed according to experimental data.Results p53γ,Δ133p53β and Δ133p53γ were not detected in both carcinoma tissues and adjacent non-cancerous tissues.Δ133p53 was detected in 11 out of 15 carcinoma tissues(73.3%) and in 3 out of 15 adjacent non-cancerous tissues(20.0%) with statistic significance(P=0.009).p53β was detected in 3 out of 15 gastric carcinoma tissues(20.0%) and in 10 out of 15 adjacent non-cancerous tissues(66.7%) with statistic significance(P=0.0253).Conclusion The expression of Δ133p53 mRNA and p53β mRNA were different in gastric carcinoma.The different expression of the p53 isoforms may be involved in growth,proliferation and metastasis of gastric carcinoma.