We have examined p53 oncogene/anti-oncogene alleles in 10 different human hepatoma cell lines and 18 primary hepatocellular carcinomas. The p53 allele in these hepatoma cell lines appears to be a frequent target of mutation as demonstrated by Southern and Northern blotting, immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis. In general, the steady state level of p53 specific RNA or protein in these hepatoma cell lines is higher than in normal liver. However, in three out of ten cell lines, normal-sized p53 mRNA cannot be detected. In contrast, the involvement of the p53 allele in primary hepatocellular carcinoma appears to be an exceedingly rare event. Steady state levels of p53 specific RNA in primary hepatomas are practically indistinguishable from those in normal adult liver. Using the polymerase chain reaction technique, we have amplified and subcloned exons 5, 6, 7 and 8 of p53 from 10 different hepatoma samples. DNA sequence analysis of these exon subclones reveals no apparent structural alterations. Finally, synthesis of p53 specific mRNA or protein in a HepG2 human hepatoblastoma cell line does not appear to be affected by gene expression and replication of human hepatitus B virus. Surprisingly, unlike many other kinds of human solid tumors, point mutations in p53 do not appear to be important in primary tumors of hepatocellular carcinomas.