The carcinogenicity of certain nickel compounds is well known. We have previously shown that human kidney epithelial cells were immortalized by treatment with Ni(II) and in cooperation with the v-Ha-ras oncogene transformed the cells to acquire tumorigenicity in athymic nude mice. Immunocytochemistry and sequence analysis of DNA from the nickel-immortalized cells revealed abnormal p53 expression and a T----C transition mutation in codon 238. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that Ni(II)-induced mutation in the p53 gene can be involved in the escape from senescence of kidney epithelial cells.