Increased p53 site-specific DNA binding in cells producing mutant p53.

Chemotherapeutic and DNA-damaging agents were found to increase p53 site-specific DNA binding in human breast and rat liver epithelial WBrasII cells which produce mutant p53. Increased p53 site-specific DNA binding by chemotherapeutic or DNA-damaging agents was also induced in transfected Saos-2 cells producing wild type or transforming mutant p53. Therefore, exposure of cells containing a transforming p53 mutant to chemotherapeutic or DNA-damaging agents may potentially enhance their transformation state and tumorigenic potential.