A truncated del p53 variant identified in a cholangiocarcinoma cell line promotes cancer cell migration and invasiveness

     TP53, a tumor suppressor gene, is the most common gene mutated in human cancers, including in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Besides loss of tumor suppressive function, some mutant p53 possess the gain-of-function properties promoting cancer progression. Here we demonstrated for the first time that a truncated del p53 variant lacking exons 7-9 and containing a V31I substitution which is highly expressed in the invasive liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini-associated CCA cell line, KKU-M213, exhibited gain-of-function properties. This truncated del p53 variant lacked tumor suppressive (anti-proliferative) activity, but possessed gain of oncogenic function in enhancing migration and invasiveness. The mechanism underlying this gain-of-function property was also demonstrated.

Reference:

Puetkasichonpasutha J, Suthiphongchai T. p53-p72-D225-331-V31I identified in a cholangiocarcinoma cell line promotes migration and invasiveness via the downregulation of claudin-1 expression and the activation of Cdc42. Oncol Rep 2021; 45(1): 368-378. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2020.7827