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Mice deficient for p53 are developmentally normal but susceptible to spontaneous tumours

Nature volume 356, pages 215–221 (1992)Cite this article

Abstract

Mutations in the p53 tumour-suppressor gene are the most frequently observed genetic lesions in human cancers. To investigate the role of the p53 gene in mammalian development and tumori-genesis, a null mutation was introduced into the gene by homologous recombination in murine embryonic stem cells. Mice homozygous for the null allele appear normal but are prone to the spontaneous development of a variety of neoplasms by 6 months of age. These observations indicate that a normal p53 gene is dispensable for embryonic development, that its absence predisposes the animal to neoplastic disease, and that an oncogenic mutant form of p53 is not obligatory for the genesis of many types of tumours.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Molecular Virology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA

    Lawrence A. Donehower, Michele Harvey, Betty L. Slagle & Janet S. Butel

  2. Center for Comparative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA

    Mark J. McArthur & Charles A. Montgomery Jr

  3. Institute for Molecular Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA

    Allan Bradley

Authors
  1. Lawrence A. Donehower
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  2. Michele Harvey
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  3. Betty L. Slagle
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  4. Mark J. McArthur
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  5. Charles A. Montgomery Jr
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  6. Janet S. Butel
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  7. Allan Bradley
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Donehower, L., Harvey, M., Slagle, B. et al. Mice deficient for p53 are developmentally normal but susceptible to spontaneous tumours. Nature 356, 215–221 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1038/356215a0

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