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Induction of apoptosis by p53, bax, bcl-2, and p21 expressed in colorectal cancer

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Background

We investigated the influence of genes on the apoptosis of colorectal tumor cells, based on DNA and mRNA kinetics.

Methods

In 30 colorectal cancer patients, we examined the mRNA expression of p53, bax, bcl-2, and p21 WAF1, and we also investigated the development of tumor cell apoptosis, using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method.

Results

TUNEL-positive cells showed a positive correlation with bax (P = 0.010) and a negative correlation with p21 (P = 0.04). We also investigated the relationship between p53 point mutation, p21 immunostaining degree, and apoptosis, based on DNA ladder expression. A remarkable correlation (P = 0.0090) was found between p21 and apoptosis.

Conclusions

The present study findings suggest that tumor cell apoptosis is (1) strongly inhibited by p21, (2) induced by bax, and (3) influenced by bcl-2, which, presumably, inhibits tumor cell apoptosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Department of Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan

    Kenji Katsumata, Tetsuo Sumi, Hidenori Tomioka, Tatsuya Aoki & Yasuhisa Koyanagi

Authors
  1. Kenji Katsumata
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  2. Tetsuo Sumi
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  3. Hidenori Tomioka
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  4. Tatsuya Aoki
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  5. Yasuhisa Koyanagi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kenji Katsumata.

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Cite this article

Katsumata, K., Sumi, T., Tomioka, H. et al. Induction of apoptosis by p53, bax, bcl-2, and p21 expressed in colorectal cancer. Int J Clin Oncol 8, 352–356 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-003-0352-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-003-0352-6

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