Downregulation of nuclear expression of the p33 ^ING1b inhibitor of growth protein in invasive carcinoma of the breast

Abstract

Optimum function of p53 is dependent on p33(ING1b) so that a reduction of nuclear p33(ING1b) expression, as seen in this series, would be predicted to compromise p53 function. This study showed that p33(ING1b) alterations were associated with more poorly differentiated tumours. Therefore, p33(ING1b) expression could be used as a marker of differentiation in invasive breast cancer. These results support the view that loss of p33(ING1b) may be an important molecular event in the differentiation and pathogenesis of invasive breast cancer.