Objective: To define the expression levels of MDM2 gene in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its relationship with p53 protein expression and EB virus latent infection.
Method: MDM2 gene expression at mRNA and protein levels, p53 protein and EB virus DNA were detected by nonradioactive in situ hybridization (ISH), immunohistochemistry(IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) separately in 46 cases of NPC tissues and 12 cases of chronic inflammation of nasopharyngeal epithelium (CINE).
Result: Fourteen cases of NPC showed MDM2 mRNA and protein overexpression, 38 cases were p53 protein positive, and 43 cases were EBV-DNA positive. Neither MDM2 nor p53 protein was expressed in any case of CINE. MDM2 expression was significantly related to p53 protein expression (P < 0.05), but not to EB virus latent infection in NPC.
Conclusion: MDM2 gene may play an important role in the pathogenesis of NPC through interacting with p53 protein.