Expression of p53 in Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells induces apoptosis which can be inhibited by Bcl-2 or the adenovirus E1B-55 kDa protein. Studies were carried out to determine the effects of introducing p53 using an adenovirus gene transfer vector into p53 null human Saos-2 osteogenic carcinoma cells. Expression of p53 led to cell death within 30-40 h. The morphology of these cells as determined by electron microscopy indicated that death was by apoptosis. Such death was significantly reduced in Saos-2 variants that express high levels of the Bcl-2 suppressor of apoptosis. It was also found that the E1B-55 kDa protein of human adenovirus type 5, which was known to bind and inactivate p53, blocks Saos-2 cell death following expression of p53. These results thus directly demonstrate that this viral protein is able to inhibit p53-induced apoptosis.