Carrier prediction of cystic fibrosis in 36 families by means of restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Transmission of cystic fibrosis (CF) was studied in 36 families with at least one affected and one unaffected child. DNA was prepared from peripheral leukocytes and submitted to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis with two CF probes (pj3.11 and met). Twenty families were shown to be informative so that accurate predictions could be made of the status of the offspring. Sixteen were only partially informative. The allele frequency was similar to that originally reported except for one Msp I site detected with the pj3.11 probe, for which we found a significantly higher heterozygote frequency, making it more informative than expected in our population sample. Pedigree analysis demonstrated no obligate recombinant between CF and the polymorphic markers.

Normal and defective expression of the thyroglobulin gene.

Molecular studies of the thyroglobulin (Tg) gene have progressed significantly in recent years. Cloning and sequencing the complete bovine Tg cDNA led to the knowledge of the primary structure of the Tg subunit. This large polypeptidic chain displays a repetitive structure, especially in its amino-terminal half, and bears a striking homology with the acetylcholinesterase molecule of Torpedo californica in its carboxy-terminal portion. The four specific domains known to be involved in the formation of the thyroid hormones have been assigned to both terminal parts of the polypeptide, a location which could play a role in the process leading to hormone release. The very large (greater than 250 kb) Tg gene has been localized on the long arm of chromosome 8 in man, in close linkage with the c-myc oncogene. The study of its structure allowed the characterization of the molecular defect responsible for a congenital flaw in Tg gene expression in a herd of South-African cattle. This work led to the unexpected finding that the Tg pre-mRNA undergoes alternative splicing in normal animals, too. A DNA segment involved in the transcriptional control of Tg gene expression by cAMP has been identified by transfecting primary cultured thyrocytes with recombinant genes.

Integrity of the thyroglobulin locus in tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome II.

The thyroglobulin gene has been mapped to chromosome band 8q24 by several investigators. This is the band implicated in the causation of Langer-Giedion syndrome (tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome II). We have examined a restriction fragment length polymorphism at the thyroglobulin locus in a patient with Langer-Giedion syndrome and 8q deletion in order to: (1) localize the Langer-Giedion deletion more precisely, (2) define the relative map positions of the thyroglobulin gene and the Langer-Giedion locus. The results indicate that the locus of the thyroglobulin gene is intact in the patient with an interstitial deletion of proximal band 8q24.1 which confirms its more distal localization reported earlier by Bergé-Lefranc et al. (1985). It also assigns the critical region for the causation of Langer-Giedion syndrome to the proximal part of band 8q24, viz. 8q24.11----q24.13.

Proximity of thyroglobulin and c-myc genes on human chromosome 8.

The human thyroglobulin structural gene (TG) was mapped to the long arm of chromosome 8 by blot hydridization of a TG cDNA probe to DNA from 21 human X mouse somatic cell hybrids containing overlapping subsets of human chromosomes. In situ hybridization of the TG probe to metaphase chromosomes from a karyotypically normal human lymphoblastoid cell line, JS, localized the TG gene to within the region 8q23----q24.3. Thus, the TG and c-myc genes map to the same chromosome band in normal human cells. In a human colon carcinoma cell line (COLO 320 DM) which contains amplified c-myc, the TG gene is not amplified and hence it lies outside the amplification domain.

The thyroglobulin gene resides on chromosome 8 in man and on chromosome 7 in the rat.

Human chromosomes were separated by a dual laser FACS sorter and their DNA hybridized with a thyroglobulin gene probe. A strong hybridization signal was obtained with DNA from chromosome 8. A panel of mouse-rat cell hybrids was used to determine the chromosomal localization of the rat thyroglobulin gene by the Southern blotting method. Comparison of the cytogenetic data with the hybridization signals obtained with the rat thyroglobulin probe allowed assignment of this gene to rat chromosome 7. It is concluded that the synteny relationship between the thyroglobulin gene and the c-myc oncogene has been conserved in rat and man.

[Structure and expression of thyroglobulin gene]. / Structure et expression du gène de la thyroglobuline.

Thyroglobulin is composed of two 300000 dalton polypeptide chains, translated from an 8000 base mRNA. Preparation of a full length cDNA and its cloning in E. coli have lead to the demonstration that the polypeptides of thyroglobulin protomers were identical. Used as molecular probes, the cloned cDNA allowed the isolation of a fragment of thyroglobulin gene. Electron microscopic studies have demonstrated that this gene contains more than 90% intronic material separating small size exons (less than 200 bp). Sequencing of bovine thyroglobulin structural gene is in progress. Preliminary results show evidence for the existence of repetitive segments. Availability of cloned DNA complementary to bovine and human thyroglobulin mRNA allows the study of genetic defects of thyroglobulin gene expression in the human and in various animal models.

Radioautographic localization of prolactin messenger RNA on histological sections by in situ hybridization.

In situ hybridization of complementary [H3]DNA ([H3]cDNA) synthetized from purified rat prolactin messenger RNA (rPRL mRNA) was performed to specifically identify on histologic sections of rat hypophysis cells expressing the PRL gene. Radioautographic labelling occurred over weakly acidophilic cells, while other acidophils, with darker cytoplasm did not contain more silver grains than blood vessels.

Dopaminergic control of prolactin mRNA accumulation in the pituitary of the male rat.

Dopaminergic control of the expression of the prolactin gene was investigated by administration of bromoergocryptine (CB154) to male rats. The effects of the drug on the following parameters were measured: (i) circulating levels of GH and PRL; (ii) synthesis of GH and PRl measured by pulse labeling pituitary fragments in vitro; (iii) GH and PRL mRNA activities; and (iv) content of PRL and mRNA. After 1 day of CB154 administration, serum PRL fell to undetectable levels whereas it took 3 days to observe a 50% reduction in PRL synthesis. This effect was accounted for by a parallel decrease in PRL mRNA activity and content. GH synthesis and GH mRNA were not affected by the treatment. Our results show that the dopaminergic inhibition of PRL production involves regulation at a pre-translational level.

Restriction mapping of synthetic thyroglobulin structural gene as a means of investigating thyroglobulin structure.

Bovine 33 S thyroglobulin mRNA was reverse transcribed into double-stranded DNA under conditions allowing the synthesis of a complete 8 kilobase pair copy. A physical map of the resulting synthetic thyroglobulin structural gene was constructed using six restriction endonucleases. The following conclusions could be drawn: (i) the polypeptide chains in thyroglobulin subunits are identical; (ii) thyroglobulin is composed of a major class of molecules sharing the same primary structure; (iii) there is no evidence for precise internal repetition in the structure of thyroglobulin subunits.

Comparison of primary and secondary stimulation of male rats by estradiol in terms of prolactin synthesis and mRNA accumulation in the pituitary.

Male rats received acute or chronic primary or acute secondary stimulation with estradiol, and the effects on pituitary prolactin synthesis and its mRNA accumulation were examined. Prolactin synthesis was determined by the in vitro incorporation of [(3)H]leucine into prolactin over a period of 1 hr. Prolactin mRNA was measured both by cell-free translation in a nuclease-treated rabbit reticulocyte lysate and by hybridization to the complementary DNA. The latter two methods gave similar results under all experimental conditions. Acute primary stimulation with estradiol produced a significant increase in pituitary prolactin mRNA accumulation at 12 hr, which further increased by 2- to 3-fold over the next 48 hr. In contrast, no increase in prolactin synthesis was observed during the first 24 hr. Chronic stimulation with estradiol induced increases of both prolactin synthesis and prolactin mRNA that were quantitatively indistinguishable over the period of 1-4 weeks, reaching a plateau at 5-fold the basal values. By the 13th day after withdrawal of therapy both prolactin synthesis and mRNA had returned to the prestimulation levels. When the effects of estradiol on previously unexposed and estrogen withdrawn animals were compared, it was found that secondary stimulation not only produced a more rapid accumulation of the prolactin mRNA but also abolished the lag period of prolactin synthesis observed during the primary estrogen stimulation. These data demonstrate a lag in the endogenous translation of newly accumulated pituitary prolactin mRNA translatable in vitro after primary estrogen stimulation of male rats. The mechanism for the abolition of this lag during the secondary stimulation is now known.

Early in vitro induction of rat pituitary GH mRNA by T31.

Previous work has shown that thyroid hormone stimulates rat pituitary GH synthesis and GH mRNA activity and concentration. However, the earliest demonstration of increase in GH mRNA activity was 24 hours following T3 addition whereas stimulation of GH synthesis has been observed 2 hours after treatment with T3. Thus, it is unknown whether increase in pituitary GH mRNA is a prerequisite for the stimulation of GH synthesis. In the present investigation in vitro addition of 1.5 x 10(-10) M T3 to pituitaries isolated from hypothyroid rats resulted in a slight but significant increase of GH mRNA activity within 2 hours. Further stimulation of GH mRNA activity was observed over the period of 12 hours. No increase of GH mRNA activity occurred in the absence of T3, and T3 had no effect on the PRL mRNA activity. These findings suggest that increase in GH mRNA may be responsible for the observed induction of GH synthesis, and that at least one of the primary actions of thyroid hormone is at the nuclear level.

Triiodothyronine stimulates specifically growth hormone mRNA in rat pituitary tumor cells.

In a cell-free protein-synthesizing system from a rabbit reticulocyte lysate, total RNA extracted from cultured rat pituitary tumor (GH3) cells directed, in a dose-related manner, the synthesis of proteins that were precipitated by antisera specific to rat growth hormone (somatotropin) and rat prolactin. A marked decrease in growth hormone secretion and growth hormone mRNA activity was observed when cells were grown in a medium deficient in thyroid hormone. Addition of triiodothyronine in physiologic amounts both prevented and completely reversed this effect within 48 hr. Thyroid hormone had no effect on prolactin secretion or prolactin mRNA activity. These data suggest that thyroid hormone may stimulate synthesis of growth hormone through induction of transcriptional activity. The possibility of an additional effect at the posttranscriptional level has not been excluded. Although thyroid hormone is believed to have a general effect on a variety of metabolic processes, some effects, at the molecular level, may be quite selective, as indicated by the observed changes in growth hormone but not prolactin mRNA activity. The GH3 cell model is useful in the study of triiodothyronine action because of independence from secondary hormonal effects caused by hypothyroidism and because simultaneous measurement of prolactin mRNA activity serves as a unique internal control.

Translation of thyroglobulin 33S messenger RNA as a means of determining thyroglobulin quaternary structure.

Thyroglobulin is a 19S protein of approximately 660,000 daltons and unknown quaternary structure. We have previously shown that a 33S mRNA purified from mammalian thyroids promoted synthesis in the Xenopus oocyte of a peptide immunologically related to thyroglobulin. Chemical identity to the native protein is now presented by means of a tryptic peptide analysis. Moreover, the 33S mRNA is shown to contain all the information required for the synthesis of a complete 19S thyroglobulin molecule. Gel filtration in Sepharose under denaturing conditions indicates that the reduced polypeptide encoded by the 33S mRNA is larger than 210,000 daltons. A model of a dimeric thyroglobulin with about 300,000 dalton subunits is presented.

Thyroglobulin messenger RNA: translation of a 33-S mRNA into a peptide immunologically related to thyroglobulin.

Poly(UC)--Sepharose chromatography of the RNA extracted from a thyroid fraction sedimenting between 800 X g and 27000 X g allows the purification of two RNA fractions amounting each to 1% of the applied material. The first one is loosely bound to the column from which it is eluted at 25 degrees C. It is mainly composed of 16-S and 12-S RNA comprising no poly(A) sequences. This could correspond to mitochondrial rRNA. The second one, which is eluted at 50 degrees C, is poly(A)-rich and represents 33-S and 17--18-S RNA species. The 33-S RNA resists heating at 80 degrees C, suggesting that it is composed of one polynucleotide chain. When injected into Xenopus oocytes, the 33-S RNA specifically promotes the synthesis of a peptide with an apparent molecular weight of 185000 and an apparent sedimentation coefficient of 10-S. This peptide is immunologically related to thyroglobulin and could represent its main precursor. Under the conditions tested it does not polymerize spontaneously into 19-S thyroglobulin, suggesting that assembly of the molecule could require specific, post-translational alterations of the precursor and/or the presence of additional lighter subunits.