DEFECTIVE STEROIDAL SYNTHESIS BY ADRENAL TISSUE: THE CONTROL OF GENE EXPRESSION CAUSING LOSS OF ACTIVE STEROIDOGENIC ENZYMES

Abstract

ABSTRACT RNA was isolated from normal human adrenal glands and found to cause the formation of Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-isomerase and steroid 21-hydroxylase activities by a Krebs II ascites cell-free protein synthesising system. Although no functional steroid 21-hydroxylase in vivo or in vitro was found in a gland from a patient with virilism due to congenital adrenocortical hyperplasia the RNA would still give steroid 21-hydroxylase-like activity in the protein synthesising system which suggests that the inherited defect was not in the structural gene. Activity could not be induced by RNA from a 'non-functioning' adrenocortical tumour or rat liver.