[Deletion of MTS1/p16 gene in human esophageal carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the alteration of MTS1/p16 gene in human esophageal carcinoma.


METHODS
A total of 60 human esophageal tissue specimens, comprising 30 squamous-cell carcinomas and 30 tumor-adjacent tissue specimens, were examined for homozygous deletion of p16 gene by using Southern blot hybridization and PCR method.


RESULTS
The results showed that no deletions were detected in 30 tumor-adjacent tissue samples. However, of 30 esophageal carcinoma specimens, 7 were found negative for p16 gene in Southern blot assay, and the deletion of the p16 gene in 5 samples were confirmed by PCR with a 16.7% p16 gene deletion rate.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that MTS1/p16 gene alterations may play a role in the progression of human esophageal carcinoma.
Cancer Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing.
S
S
Jin
Q
Q
Peng
S
S
Lu
D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D019942:Genes, p16; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction