P53 tumour suppressor gene and germ cell neoplasia

P53 tumour suppressor gene mutations occur in approximately 50% of common solid tumours such as breast, colon and lung. In contrast, p53 gene mutations occur infrequently (<3%) in germ cell tumours, even though p53 protein is expressed at high levels in the vast majority of tumour samples. P53‐regulated genes are not correspondingly over‐expressed in germ cell tumour samples and cell lines, indicating that p53 functions poorly as a transcription factor in this tumour type. High levels of wild‐type p53 may contribute, in part, to the chemosensitivity of germ cell tumours.