Absence ofp15INK4Bandp16INK4AGene Alterations in Primary Cervical Carcinoma Tissues and Cell Lines with Human Papillomavirus Infection

Objective.Alterations of thep15INK4Bandp16INK4Agene which are separated by 25 kb on chromosome 9p21 have been reported in various tumor-derived cell lines and primary tumors, but the role of these genes in cervical cancer is unknown. To determine the frequency of deletions and point mutations of these genes in human cervical cancer, we examined for alterations of thep15INK4Bandp16INK4Agenes in cervical carcinomas. Methods.We examined 57 primary tumors and matched normal tissues and 3 cervical cancer-derived cell lines. All the tumor tissues and cell lines were human papillomavirus (HPV) positive. Deletions or point mutations of exon 2 of thepINK4Bgene and exons 1, 2, and 3 of thep16INK3Agene were examined by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing, respectively. Results.Our data indicate no evidence for intragenic homozygous deletion or point mutation in the primary cervical cancer tissues or cancer-derived cell lines. Conclusion.Deletions or point mutations in thep15INK4Borp16INK4Agene may not be required for the development of HPV-positive cervical cancer or for establishment of cervical cancer cell lines.