Mutation analysis of p16 gene in gastric cancer tissues

Aim:To investigate the frequencies of homozygous deletion and mutation of p16 gene and to evaluate the clinical significance.Methods:PCR technique was used to detect homozygous deletions of exon 1 and exon 2 of p16 gene and single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique was used to detect the genic mutation.Results:The homozygous deletion ratio of exon 1 and exon 2 of p16 gene in 20 gastric cancer tissues was 4 out of 20 cases and 2 out of 20 cases, respectively. In SSCP no mutation was found in exon 1 of p16 gene, while abnormal single strands were found in exon 2 in 2 cases, one of which included gastric cancer tissue and adjacent cancer tissue (belonged to Ⅲa stage, poorly differentiated cancer). The positive tissues were both advanced gastric cancers and LOH(+) cases.Conclusion: The abnormality of p16 gene is an important event in the progression of gastric cancer. The mutation focuses on exon 2, and may be associated with the development of gastric cancer.