[p16/CDKN2/MTS1 gene abnormality in lung cancer].
p16/CDKN2/MTS1, a putative tumor suppressor gene, located in the chromosome 9p21 region was cloned in 1994. This gene encodes a protein that binds to and inhibits cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), and plays a role in cell cycle regulation. p16 gene has been reported to be homozygously deleted in a variety of human tumors. Using PCR-based assays for exons 2 and 3 of p16 gene, we found homozygous deletions in 15 (48%) of 31 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. In contrast, none of 11 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines had p16 deletions (p = 0.012). Taken together with results previously reported, our data indicate that p16 gene is more frequently deleted in NSCLC than in SCLC. Although the incidence of p16 abnormalities in NSCLC surgical specimens is inconclusive, recent reports suggest that p16 abnormalities are well correlated with tumor dissemination. The role of p16 gene in pathogenesis of lung cancer remains to be elucidated.
Ohno
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Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Osaka City General Hospital.
D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000235:genetics; D017353:Gene Deletion; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*