The p53 tumor suppressor protein functions as a transcription factor. It has, however, been previously reported that some p53 mutants are able to suppress cell growth independent of their transcriptional activity [Kaneuchi et al., (1999)]. In order to investigate the correlations between the trans-activation and growth-suppressive functions of p53, we have analyzed five p53 mutants by CAT reporter assay, colony formation assay, and growth-rate analysis. Five p53 mutants [Oh et al., (2000)]--199stop (Gly-->stop), 240ile (Ser-->Ile), 250ala (Pro-->Ala), 285lys (Glu-->Lys), and 291asn (Lys-->Asn)--were cotransfected with a reporter construct containing a p53-responsive element and then tested for their trans-activational activity in p53-null Saos-2 cells. As a result of a change in the protein structure, trans-activational activity was negated in 199stop, 240ile, 285lys, and 291asn, while 250ala retained its activity. Colony formation assay revealed that mutants 240ile and 250ala retained their growth suppression, while 199stop, 285lys, and 291asn did not. To study the features of these proteins, a group of isogenic cell lines that express mutant forms of p53 was generated from HeLa cells, and their growth rate was then examined: one group, containing 199stop, 285lys, and 291asn, showed a rapid growth rate, similar to that of the original HeLa cells; the other group, containing 240ile and 250ala, however, exhibited a slow growth rate. In conclusion, mutant p53 240ile, which completely lost its trans-activational activity, nevertheless continued to exhibit its growth-suppressive activity. Further work is required to understand how 240ile is involved in growth suppression.