In order to gain insight into a role for p53 in α-syn expression in human gliomas, we examined α-syn protein, promoter activity and mRNA levels in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma and several GBM cell lines harboring either low levels of wild-type p53 (U87 cell line) or high expression of transcriptionally inactive p53 mutants (LN215 and 8MG GBM cell lines). The gene discussed is TP53; the disease is central nervous system cancer.