Mutation in which of the following tumour suppressor gene causes carcinoma?: (A) p53, (B) p51, (C) Ro, (D) All of the above
Answer is A. If the p53 gene is mutated, the protection offered by the p53 tumor suppressor protein against DNA damage (for example, ras oncogene mutation) is lost. If a cell becomes homozygous for the mutant allele, that is ‘loses heterozygosity’, cancer may develop.
Ref: Shafer's textbook of oral pathology 7th edition page 108