ISSN 1017-2548(Print)
ISSN 2234-8530(Online)
Volume 47, Number 5
JKCSEZ 47(5)
October 20, 2003 

Structural alteration of p53 and overexpression of p53 protein are the most common genetic abnormalities in various kinds of human cancer. Mutations in the p53 tumor-suppressor gene are usually associated with an advanced development of colorectal cancer characterized by the transition from the adenoma to carcinoma stage. Mutations in exons 5-8 of the p53 gene were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism(PCR-SSCP) and denaturing high performance liquid chromatography(DHPLC). SSCP analysis detected 7 mutations(C13109>T) in 50 colorectal cancer samples(14%) at exon 5, and DHPLC analysis detected 7 mutations (C13109>T) and 2 mutation(C13202>A, C13204>G) in 50 colorectal cancer samples(18%) at exon 5. All of 9 mutations were proved by sequencing analysis. We conclude that DHPLC is a highly sensitive and specific method for p53 gene mutations.