TP53 single nucleotide polymorphism rs1042522 in salivary gland neoplasms

Background The TP53 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1042522 encodes arginine (Arg) or proline (Pro). The Arg variant is more effective at inducing apoptosis than the Pro. Methods We assessed this SNP through direct sequencing of benign and malignant salivary neoplasms of Brazilian patients and compared the results with healthy controls' data. BAX, BCL-2, and CASPASE-3 mRNA levels were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in a set of salivary tumors, and the results were correlated with the tumor genotype. Results We found a higher frequency of the Arg/Arg genotype in the malignant group. However, the SNP did not influence the age of onset in either benign or malignant tumors. The SNP was not associated with the transcription levels of apoptotic/antiapoptotic genes. Conclusion Malignant salivary neoplasms showed a higher frequency of the allele encoding Arg and a higher frequency of the Arg/Arg genotype. However, the different genotypes did not impact the transcription of genes involved in apoptosis. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 1685–1688, 2014