Abstract
While it is established that p53 mutation plays a critical role in the carcinogenesis of astrocytic brain tumors, its role remains to be clarified for other types of tumors in the central nervous system (CNS). Using a yeast-based assay which tests the ability of human p53 to activate transcription, we analyzed p53 mutations in 85 non-astrocytic CNS tumors, including 4 benign neuronal tumors (3 central neurocytomas and 1 pineocytoma), 12 primitive neuroectodermal tumors, 14 germ cell tumors (7 germinomas, 7 non-germinomatous tumors), 4 craniopharyngiomas, 14 ependymomas, 22 schwannomas, 10 primary brain lymphomas in immunocompetent patients, and 5 bone tumors of the skull. The only tumors found to contain p53 mutations were 3 malignant lymphomas. The presence of mutations in these cases was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Given the high accuracy and sensitivity of the yeast assay and previous negative results using conventional techniques, this indicates that p53 mutation is a rare event in non-astrocytic CNS tumor types examined here.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 31 July 1997 / Revised, accepted: 29 September 1997
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nozaki, M., Tada, M., Matsumoto, R. et al. Rare occurrence of inactivating p53 gene mutations in primary non-astrocytic tumors of the central nervous system: reappraisal by yeast functional assay. Acta Neuropathol 95, 291–296 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004010050800
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004010050800