PCR-SSCP analysis of the p53 gene in tumours of the adrenal gland.

1. Mutations of the p53 tumour suppressor gene are relatively common in the aetiology of a wide spectrum of tumour types, both sporadic and familial. 2. The majority of mutations of the p53 gene are reported to be in the highly conserved region of exons 5-8. 3. Alterations in exons 4, 5 and 7 of the p53 gene in patients with functional adrenal tumours, including aldosterone-producing adenomas, have recently been described. 4. In the present study PCR-SSCP was used to examine the exons 4-9 of the p53 gene in paired peripheral blood leucocyte and tumour DNA in a variety of adrenal tumours, including aldosterone-producing carcinoma and adenoma (both familial and sporadic), phaeochromocytoma and incidentaloma. 5. No evidence was found for mutations in exons 4-9 of the p53 gene in these varieties of adrenal tumours.