Mutational analysis of the BH3 domains of proapoptotic Bcl-2 family genes Bad, Bmf and Bcl-G in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

摘要

AIMS: There is mounting evidence that deregulation of apoptosis is involved in the mechanisms of cancer development. Somatic mutations of apoptosis-related genes have been reported in many human cancers. The aim of this study was to explore the possibility that mutation of the BH3 domains of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 genes Bad, Bmf and Bcl-G might be involved in the development of laryngeal cancer. METHODS: We analyzed the BH3 domains of Bad, Bmf and Bcl-G for the detection of somatic mutations in 33 squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx by a polymerase chain reaction-based single-strand conformation polymorphism assay. RESULTS: There were no somatic mutations of the BH3 domains of Bad, Bmfand BcI-G in the laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma samples. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented here indicate that BH3 domain mutation of the proapoptotic genes Bad, Bmf and Bcl-G is rare in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and may not contribute to the apoptosis-resistance mechanisms of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.