The Relationship Between Alterration Of P73 Gene And Clinicopathologic Features Of Osteosarcoma

Objective: Our study was to detect p73 genotype and loss of heterozygote(LOH) and to examine expressions of p73 and p21WAF1/CIP1 protein in osteosarcoma, aim to analyze the role of p73 in osteosarcoma.Methods: Polymerase chain reaction(PCR), restrictive endonuclease fragment length polymorphism(RFLP), immunohistochemistry and computerized image analysis were utilized.Results: 1. Overexpressions of P73 and P21WAF1/CIP1 protein were detected in osteosarcoma, and were related to the histological grade and metastatic(P<0.05). According to Enneking Stage, the expressions of P73 and P21WAF1/CIP1 protein in stage â… ,â…¡A were significantly lower than that in stageâ…¡B(P<0.05). A significant positive correlation can be identified between P73 and P21WAF1/CIP1 protein expressions in osteosarcoma.2. The AT/AT genotype was significantly less prevalent in the osteosarcoma group compared to the normal population. The allele distribution in the osteosarcoma population deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.3. P73 LOH was detected in 13/27 cases(48.15%). And 11 cases had lost AT elleles and 2 had lost GC alleles. p73 LOH was related to tumor size and metastatic(P<0.05).The frequencies of LOH were lower in stageâ… ,â…¡A than that in stageâ…¡B ,â…¢(P<0.05).4. Overexpressions of P73 and P21WAF1/CIP1 protein were related to p73 LOH in osteosarcoma(P<0.05).Conclusion: 1. Overexpressions of P73 and P21WAF1/CIP1 protein and p73 LOH in human osteosarcoma were related to the proliferation and degree of malignancy. P73 gene plays oncogene in human osteosarcoma possibly.2. The decrease of AT/AT genotype frequence plays an important role in carcinogenesis and progression of osteosarcoma, which caused the allele distribution of osteosarcoma population deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.