The relation of apoptotic frequency with p53 protein expression in ovarian neoplasia

Abstract

p53 gene İs thought to have a regulatory effect on both apoptosis and mitosis. In order to find out If there is any correlation between ' p53 protein overexpression and apoptotic and mitotic indices in ovarian borderline and malignant neoplasia, 22 ovarian tumors were examined for p53 protein expression by immunohistochemical methods. Staining was scored as negative, focal or diffuse positive. Apoptotic and mitotic cells were counted In 1000 cells of each case. Apoptotic and mitotic Indices, the ratio of the apoptotic to mitotic cell counts were compared for p53 negative and focal positive; p53 negative and diffuse positive; p53 focal positive and diffuse positive cases by Mann-Whltney-U Test. The results were not significantly different for any of the described groups, supporting lack of direct p53 gene regulation on apoptosis and mitosis. Mechanism of apoptosis appears to be a multistep process. Further investigation is needed in order to test the supposed regulatory effect of p53 gene on apoptosis. [Turk J Cancer 1997;27(1):51-7]