p53 Mutation Possibility and Food Dietary Containing Heavy Metals

Several types of cancer have mutations in the tumor suppressor gene p53. Environmental mutagens such as heavy metals play an undeniable role in p53 mutations and leave the mutational fingerprint on the TP53 gene. Therefore, the study of p53 mutation spectra can reflect the past heavy metals exposure.

The current study was found interesting results by reviewing the previous data published in the databases. These results were obtained by comparing the common mutational profile between Iran, India, and Pakistan, and the association of these mutations with metals. The mutations in codons 146 (TGG→ TGA, Trp→ Stop), 214 (CAT→CGT, His→ Arg), and 249 (AGG→AGT, Arg→ Ser) were common in both India and Iran, due to the contamination by zinc and arsenic; arsenic and copper; cadmium, arsenic, nickel, and copper poisoning, respectively. Moreover, the mutations in codons 248 (CGG→ CAG, Arg→ Gln), 220 (TAT→ TGT, Tyr→ Cys), 248 (CGG→ TGG, Arg→ Trr), and 273 (CGT→ CAT, Arg→ His) were common among these three countries that could be related to poisoning with arsenic and zinc; arsenic; copper and arsenic; zinc and arsenic, respectively. These results can give a possible explanation for the cause of mutational similarities in these three areas, which can help identify the cause of high rates of p53 mutation and cancer control in these areas.

However, concerning the effects of other environmental factors, we definitely cannot explain the cause of these mutations among the heavy metals mentioned, since it requires more detailed studies.