Dear Nelson,

I can't address p53 stability in frozen sections but for paraffin sections;
if they are not to be stained within 24 hrs., we freeze the sections at -20
degrees C.  We also store our positive control slides at -20.  I would guess
that with frozen sections you may have limited stability as well.

Linda Sebree, HT
University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics
Department of Laboratory Medicine
IHC/ISH Laboratory
A4/204-2472
600 Highland Ave.
Madison, WI  53792-2472

Phone:  (608)265-6596
FAX:  (608)263-1568

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Aguila, Nelson [SMTP:Nelson.Aguila@rp-rorer.com]
> Sent:	Monday, May 10, 1999 9:06 PM
> To:	'histonet@Pathology.swmed.edu'
> Subject:	p53 stability
> 
> Dear Histonetters:
> 
> I will be doing some p53 immunohistochemistry in the near future. The
> protocol I have require fixation in 3.7% formalin, then paraffin
> sectioning.
> My questions are:
> 1. How stable is p53 after formalin fixation in other words how long can I
> wait until I do the staining?
> 
> 2. I have only equipment to do frozen sections, is there any protocol to
> perform frozen sections for p53? What is the fixative?. I may have the
> possibility to send the tissue to be sectioned to an outside lab, but to
> do
> that I need to know the stability of p53.
> 
> I will appreciate your always insightful comments.
> 
> Nelson
> 
> 
> Nelson Aguila, D.V.M
> Senior Research Scientist
> RPR-Gencell
> Oncology Research
> Phone (510) 266-5030
> Nelson.Aguila@rp-rorer.com