Detection of Hepatitis-B Virus-Dna and Mutations in K-Ras and P53 Genes in Human Hepatocellular Carcinomas

Abstract

Abstract. Hepatitis Β virus (HBV) infection is considered as one of the major risk factors in the development of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent studies have also suggested the implication of oncogene and onco-suppressor genes in liver carcinogenesis. We studied 41 cases of HCC for the presence of HBV DNA and point mutations in codon 12 of K-ras and codon 249 of p53. We used 'nested' PCR for the amplification of HBV because of the expected low incidence of the virus DNA in the samples. PCR was also used for the amplification of K-ras and p53 regions that contain the codons of interest, followed by RFLP analysis for the detection of point mutations. HBV DNA was amplified in 22 cases (53.7%), while 5 cases (12.2%) appeared to carry mutations in codon 12 of K-ras and 7 cases (17.1%) had mutations in codon 249 of the p53 gene. These results further support the correlation between HBV infection and HCC and also indicate an implication of K-ras and p53 genes in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Mutations of Ras Genes in Human Tumors (Review)

“…This is noteworthly because the incidence of N-ras mutations in human solid tumours is rare in the Western world. A relatively high incidence of K-ras point mutations was reported by Nikolaidou et al (5/41, 12%) in patients from Greece (51).…”

Loss of heterozygosity and microsatellite instability in human non‐neoplastic hepatic lesions

“…Markers D9S51, CTRM and APOA2 present a gradual increase of the observed LOH as histology becomes more severe. Markers TP53, THRA1, D17S250, D17S113, (20) 116 (16) 016 (0) 115 (20) 015 (0) 115 (20) 016 (0) 015 (0) 015 (0) 015 (0) 015 (0) 0/5 (0) 115 (20) (27) 119 (1 1 LOH was statistically significant for D9S144 @=0.015) and APOA2 (p=0.05). For D9S51 and CTRM there was a strong tendency but it was not significant.…”

Detection of Human Cytomegalovirus by the Polymerase Chain-Reaction in Immunosuppressed and Immunocompromised Patients

“…A rapid and sensitive method of viral DNA detection would be useful in identifying blood products and organs capable of transmitting infection, thereby increasing prevention (10). PCR has been proved to be sensitive and rapid as well as accurate and specific for the detection of small amounts of viral genomes (11,12). PCR does not depend on the immune response of the patient which can be defective due to postoperative pharmaceutical immunosuppression or due to immune disorders.…”