Effects of asbestos on initiation of DNA damage, induction of DNA-strand breaks, P53-expression and apoptosis in primary, SV40-transformed and malignant human mesothelial cells

Human mesothelial cells (HMC), the progenitor cells of asbestos-induced mesothelioma, are particularly sensitive to the genotoxic effects of asbestos, although the molecular mechanisms by which asbestos induces injury in HMC are not well known. The high susceptibility of HMC to simian virus 40 (SV40)-mediated transformation is assumed to play a causative role in the pathogenesis of mesothelioma. The aim of this study was to investigate the asbestos-induced DNA damage in cultured HMC and SV40-transformed HMC (MeT-5A) compared with their malignant counterparts, i.e. human mesothelioma cells (MSTO). The time-dependent initiation of DNA-strand breaks as well as the induction of oxidative DNA base modifications were key factors for investigation. HMC, MeT-5A and MSTO cells were exposed to chrysotile and crocidolite asbestos (3 microg/cm2) during different time periods (1-72 h). DNA damage was investigated by use of the Comet assay and alkaline unwinding, the latter in combination with the Fpg protein. The P53 level was analyzed by immunofluorescence, and measurement of apoptosis was conducted by flow cytometry. We found a significant induction of DNA damage in asbestos-treated HMC already after an exposure time of 1.5 h. This effect could not be observed in treated MeT-5A and MSTO cells. Also, a time-dependent significant increase in DNA-strand breaks was observed by alkaline unwinding in asbestos-treated HMC, but not in treated MeT-5A and MSTO cells. In none of the three cell lines we could detect oxidative DNA damage recognized by the Fpg protein (e.g. 8-oxo-guanine), up to 24 h after exposure to asbestos. In contrast to what was found in HMC, P53 was over-expressed in untreated MeT-5A and MSTO. The induction of apoptosis by asbestos fibers was suppressed in MeT-5A and MSTO cells. Crocidolite fibers induced the higher genotoxic effects and chrysotile the more pronounced apoptotic effects. We conclude that asbestos induces DNA damage in HMC already after a very short exposure time in the absence of 8-oxo-guanine formation. The presence of SV40-Tag in MeT-5A and MSTO cells results in an increased expression of P53, but not in additive genotoxic effects after exposure to asbestos. The deregulation of the apoptotic pathway may lead to proliferation of genomically damaged cells and finally to the development of mesothelioma.     

RNA sequence analysis of a perinatal lethal osteogenesis imperfecta mutation

The perinatal lethal form of osteogenesis imperfecta often results from mutations which disrupt stable assembly, delay secretion, and cause excessive posttranslational modification of type I procollagen molecules. One such mutation was efficiently characterized by an indirect method of RNA sequence analysis. The mutation initially was localized in procollagen by mapping the distribution of abnormal posttranslational modification within the triple helical domain of mutant molecules. Total RNA was isolated from osteogenesis imperfecta cells in culture, cDNA was synthesized using alpha 1(I) and alpha 2(I) specific primers, and fragments of cDNA suspected to harbor the mutation were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction technique and then cloned in M13 vectors. Sequence analysis of the amplified cDNA revealed a new, heterozygous Gly----Val substitution at residue 256 of the triple helical domain of alpha 1(I) chains produced by the perinatal lethal osteogenesis imperfecta cells. The nature and location of the mutation were confirmed by sequence analysis of amplified genomic DNA. A Gly----Val substitution has not previously been associated with the lethal form of osteogenesis imperfecta, and this mutation has the most amino-terminal location within the alpha 1(I) chain triple helical domain reported to date.     

Disruption of the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase gene caused by a translocation in a patient with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

In this study, we have identified a novel mechanism of mutation involving translocation between the HPRT1 loci and other loci on the X chromosome. In HRT-25's cDNA obtained from a patient with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, the upstream region of exon 3 was amplified, but the full-length region was not amplified. The use of 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends polymerase chain reaction (3'RACE-PCR) for HRT-25 revealed part of intron 3 and an unknown sequence which have not identified the HPRT1 gene starting at the 3' end of exon 3. We analyzed HPRT1 genomic DNA in order to confirm the mutation with the unknown sequence in the genomic DNA. Unknown sequence compared through BLAST analysis of human genome (NCBI; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/) showed that at least 0.5 to 0.6-Mb telomeric to HPRT1 on chromosome Xq where located near LOC340581. This study provides the molecular basis for the involvement of genomic instability in germ cells.     

在两个X连锁显性腓骨肌萎缩症家系中发现同一GJB1基因突变Glu208Lys

在两个X连锁显性腓骨肌萎缩症(Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, CMT) 家系中进行了GJB1基因的突变分析。提取基因组DNA, PCR(polymerase chain reaction)反应扩增GJB1基因编码序列, 进行单链构象多态性(single strand conformational polymorphism, SSCP)分析, 对有差异SSCP带型的PCR产物进行测序, 结果在两家系中发现同一GJB1基因c.622G→A (Glu208Lys)突变。所发现的突变位点在国内尚未报道。     

General method for cloning amplified DNA by differential screening with genomic probes.

Mutant Syrian hamster cell lines resistant to N-(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate, a potent and specific inhibitor of aspartate transcarbamylase, have amplified the gene coding for the multifunctional protein (CAD) that includes this activity. The average amount of DNA amplified is approximately 500 kilobases per gene copy, about 20 times the length of the CAD gene itself. A differential screening method which uses genomic DNAs as probes was developed to isolate recombinant phage containing fragments of amplified DNA. One probe was prepared by reassociating fragments of total genomic DNA from 165-28, a mutant cell line with 190 times the wild-type complement of CAD genes, until all of the sequences repeated about 200 times were annealed and then isolating the double-stranded DNA with hydroxyapatite.This DNA was highly enriched in sequences from the entire amplified region, whereas the same sequences were very rare in DNA prepared similarly from wild-type cells. After both DNAs were labeled by nick translation, highly repeated sequences were removed by hybridization to immobilized total genomic DNA from wild-type cells. A library of cloned DNA fragments from mutant 165-28 was screened with both probes, and nine independent fragments containing about 165 kilobases of amplified DNA, including the CAD gene, have been isolated so far. These cloned DNAs can be used to study the structure of the amplified region, to evaluate the nature of the amplification event, and to investigate gene expression from the amplified DNA. For example, one amplified fragment included a gene coding for a 3.8-kilobase, cytoplasmic, polyadenylated RNA which was overproduced greatly in cells resistant to N-(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate. The method for cloning amplified DNA is general and can be used to evaluate the possible involvement of gene amplification in phenomena such as drug resistance, transformation, or differentiation. DNA fragments corresponding to any region amplified about 10-fold or more can be cloned, even if no function for the region is known. The method for removing highly repetitive sequences from genomic DNA probes should also be of general use.     

A mutation generating a stop codon in the alpha-L-fucosidase gene of a fucosidosis patient.

Fucosidosis is an autosomal recessive, lysosomal storage disease featured by deficient activity of alpha-L-fucosidase. Lymphoid cell lines from a fucosidosis patient (JT) and a healthy individual (control) contained alpha-L-fucosidase mRNA of the same size, 2.3 Kb, as determined by Northern blot analysis. cDNA was prepared from alpha-L-fucosidase mRNA of JT and control cells and each cDNA was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. Direct DNA sequencing of the amplified products revealed a single mutation in JT, a G1141-->T transition. This changed the codon (GAA) for Glu-375 to a stop codon (UAA). Amplification and sequencing of the area containing the G1141-->T transition in genomic DNA of JT and control cells demonstrated that the mutation was homozygous in JT. Analysis of cDNA and genomic DNA derived from lymphoid cells of mother JT revealed her to be heterozygous (G and T) at position 1141. The G1141-->T mutation is probably responsible for disease in JT.     

Association between 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels in DNA of workers highly exposed to asbestos and their clinical data, occupational and non-occupational confounding factors, and cancer

In the preceding paper [B. Marczynski, P. Rozynek, T. Kraus, St. Schl?sser, H.J. Raithel, X. Baur, Levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in DNA of white blood cells from workers highly exposed to asbestos in Germany, Mutat. Res. (2000) submitted] we described significant increases (p<0.001) in the levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) adducts in the DNA of white blood cells (WBC) of workers highly exposed to asbestos fibers at the workplace relative to those found in the control group in all three study years (period between 1994 and 1997). The results show that the oxidative DNA damage in exposed individuals is between 1.7 times and twice that found in control samples for all 3 years of the study (p<0.001). The aim of this study was to examine the association between the 8-OHdG levels in WBC DNA of workers highly exposed to asbestos fibers at the workplace and clinical data, occupational and non-occupational confounding factors, and cancer. There is no obvious correlation between the steady-state levels of 8-OHdG in the circulating WBC DNA of asbestos workers and possible confounding factors, such as the presence of benign asbestos-associated diseases, the duration of asbestos exposure, the latency period, the fixed cumulative fibrous dust dose ("fiber years"), age, smoking status, acute febrile infections, medicines, aspirin, calcium (Ca(2+)), magnesium (Mg(2+)), and the hormone and vitamin intake. This indicates that previous inhalation of asbestos fibers is the major factor responsible for the difference observed in oxidative DNA damage between asbestos workers and controls. For patients suffering from respiratory cancer, cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, mouth/pharynx/larynx, and urogenital tract the mean DNA-adduct level was significantly higher (p<0.01) than that found in controls, but not significantly higher (p>0.05) than that for asbestos-exposed patients without tumours. The formation of 8-OHdG adduct levels in WBC DNA of patients with hematopoietic cancer, chondrosarcomas and multiform glioblastomas was not significantly higher than that found in the control group (p>0.05). Our results support the hypothesis that oxidative DNA damage in man caused by asbestos fibers plays a role in the formation of malignant tumours.     

A novel mutation (Cys145-->Stop) in Bruton's tyrosine kinase is associated with newly diagnosed X-linked agammaglobulinemia in a 51-year-old male.

BACKGROUND: X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a severe, life-threatening disease characterized by failure of B cell differentiation and antibody production and is associated with mutations in Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk). The proband in this study is a 51-year-old male presenting with chronic nasal congestion, recurrent sinusitis, sporadic pneumonia, and pronounced B cell deficiency. A family history suggestive of an X-linked immunodeficiency disease was noted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: cDNA was synthesized from mRNA prepared from peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes. Btk cDNA amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was subjected to both manual and automated DNA sequencing. A DNA sequence corresponding to exons 6 and 7 of Btk was amplified from genomic DNA. Western blot analysis employed both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to Btk and reaction patterns were obtained both by chemiluminescence and an in vitro kinase assay. RESULTS: A mutation (Cys145-->Stop) was identified in Btk cDNA and was confirmed in amplified exon 6 of genomic DNA from both the proband and an affected nephew. Neither Btk nor a truncated peptide was detected in Western blot analyses of peripheral blood mononuclear cell lysates. CONCLUSIONS: The C145A mutation reported here is novel. This family study is extraordinary in that affected male members who did not undergo aggressive medical management either succumbed to complications in early life or survived into later life. The proband is the oldest de novo diagnosed patient with XLA reported to date.     

一个遗传性胰腺炎家系中新发现的胰蛋白酶原基因突变

对1个遗传性胰腺炎(hereditary pancreatitis, HP)家系中6例成员和120例无亲缘关系健康人的胰蛋白酶原基因(protease serine 1, PRSS1)进行PCR扩增, 产物纯化后测序, 结合受检者的血清肿瘤标志物、糖尿病相关生化指标以及近亲属的一般临床资料进行分析。结果发现4例家系成员PRSS1基因3号外显子区136位碱基存在C→T杂合性突变, 他们的基因型表现为野生型与突变型杂合现象, 另外在先证者PRSS1基因的3号外显子区171位碱基还存在着一个同义突变点(C→T), 而对照组和家系其他成员中未发现此两种突变, 突变阳性患者表现为乳酸、糖基化血红蛋白和糖类肿瘤标志物(CA19-9、CA125)增高。因此, PRSS1基因3号外显子区136位碱基C→T杂合性突变与该家系遗传性胰腺炎有关, 是该家系中遗传性胰腺炎的遗传易感因素。     

Adaptive amplification: an inducible chromosomal instability mechanism

Adaptive mutation is an induced response to environmental stress in which mutation rates rise, producing permanent genetic changes that can adapt cells to stress. This contrasts with neo-Darwinian views of genetic change rates blind to environmental conditions. DNA amplification is a flexible, reversible genomic change that has long been postulated to be adaptive. We report the discovery of adaptive amplification at the lac operon in Escherichia coli. Additionally, we find that adaptive amplification is separate from, and does not lead to, adaptive point mutation. This contradicts a prevailing alternative hypothesis whereby adaptive mutation is normal mutability in amplified DNA. Instead, adaptive mutation and amplification are parallel routes of inducible genetic instability allowing rapid evolution under stress, and escape from growth inhibition.     

A novel missense mutation in the factor VIII gene identified by analysis of amplified hemophilia DNA sequences.

To date the only point mutations demonstrated to cause hemophilia are C to T transitions in TaqI sites. These were detected by screening Southern blots with cloned factor VIII probes. During the development of improved methods for detecting and analyzing mutations in genomic DNA, a novel G to C transversion mutation has been identified. This rare transversion results in a missense mutation, with proline being substituted for arginine in one of the active domains of the factor VIII molecule. The results suggest that the improved methods will be useful for detecting mutations in hemophilia as well as in other genetic disorders. In this method, specific DNA sequences in genomic DNA are amplified using oligonucleotide primers and a heat-resistant DNA polymerase. Mutations are detected and localized in the amplified samples by RNase A cleavage, and the altered region is then sequenced.     

Modulation of cell and DNA damage by poly(ADP)ribose polymerase in lung cells exposed to H(2)O(2) or asbestos fibres

Poly(ADP)ribose polymerase (PARP) may participate in cell survival, apoptosis and development of DNA damage. We investigated the role of PARP in transformed human pleural mesothelial (MeT-5A) and alveolar epithelial (A549) cells exposed from 0.05 to 5mM hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) or crocidolite asbestos fibres (1-10 microg/cm(2)) in the presence and absence of 3-aminobenzamide (ABA), a PARP inhibitor. The cells were investigated for the development of cell injury, DNA single strand breaks and depletion of the cellular high-energy nucleotides. Compared to H(2)O(2), fibres caused a minor decrease in cell viability and effect on the cellular high-energy nucleotide depletion, and a marginal effect on the development of DNA strand breaks when assessed by the single cell gel electrophoresis (the Comet assay). Inhibition of PARP transiently protected the cells against acute H(2)O(2) related irreversible cell injury when assessed by microculture tetrazolium dye (XTT) assay and potentiated oxidant related DNA damage when assessed by the Comet assay. However, PARP inhibition had no significant effect on fibre-induced cell or DNA toxicity with the exception of one fibre concentration (2 microg/cm(2)) in MeT-5A cells. Apoptosis is often associated with PARP cleavage and caspase activation. Fibres did not cause PARP cleavage or activation of caspase 3 further confirming previous results about relatively low apoptotic potential of asbestos fibres. In conclusion, maintenance of cellular high-energy nucleotide pool and high viability of asbestos exposed cells may contribute to the survival and malignant conversion of lung cells exposed to the fibres.     

Missense mutations associated with RFLP haplotypes 1 and 4 of the human phenylalanine hydroxylase gene.

We report missense mutations associated with haplotype 1 and haplotype 4 alleles of the human phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene. Individual exon-containing regions were amplified by polymerase chain reaction from genomic DNA of a PKU patient who was a haplotype 1/4 compound heterozygote. The amplified DNA fragments were subcloned into M13 for sequence analysis. Missense mutations were observed in exons 5 and 7, resulting in the substitution of Arg by Gln at residues 158 and 261 of the enzyme, respectively. Expression analysis in heterozygous mammalian cells after site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that the Arg158-to-Gln158 mutation is a PKU mutation, whereas the Arg261-to-Gln261 mutation is apparently silent in the assay system. Hybridization analysis using allele-specific oligonucleotide probes demonstrated that the Arg158-to-Gln158 mutation is present in two of six mutant haplotype 4 alleles among the Swiss and constitutes about 40% of all mutant haplotype 4 alleles in the European population. The mutation is not present in normal alleles or in any mutant alleles of other haplotypes. The results provide conclusive evidence that there is linkage disequilibrium between mutation and haplotype in the PAH gene and that multiple mutations have occurred in the PAH gene of a prevalent haplotype among Caucasians.     

Asbestos-induced alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis: role of mitochondrial dysfunction caused by iron-derived free radicals

Asbestos causes asbestosis and malignancies by mechanisms that are not fully understood. Alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) injury by iron-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one important mechanism implicated. We previously showed that iron-catalyzed ROS in part mediate asbestos-inducedAEC DNA damage and apoptosis. Mitochondria have a critical role in regulating apoptosis after exposure to agents causing DNA damage but their role in regulating asbestos-induced apoptosis is unknown. To determine whether asbestos causes AEC mitochondrial dysfunction, we exposed A549 cells to amosite asbestos and assessed mitochondrial membrane potential changes (delta(psi)m) using a fluorometric technique involving tetremethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) and mitotracker green. We show that amosite asbestos, but not an inert particulate, titanium dioxide, reduces delta(psi)m after a 4 h exposure period. Further, the delta(psi)m after 4 h was inversely proportional to the levels of apoptosis noted at 24 h as assessed by nuclear morphology as well as by DNA nucleosome formation. A role for iron-derived ROS was suggested by the finding that phytic acid, an iron chelator, blocked asbestos-induced reductions in A549 cell delta(psi)m and attenuated apoptosis. Finally, overexpression of Bcl-xl, an anti-apoptotic protein that localizes to the mitochondria, prevented asbestos-induced decreases in A549 cell delta(psi)m after 4 h and diminished apoptosis. We conclude that asbestos alters AEC mitochondrial function in part by generating iron-derived ROS, which in turn can result in apoptosis. This suggests that the mitochondrial death pathway is important in regulating pulmonary toxicity from asbestos.     

Molecular diagnosis of the transthyretin (TTR) Met111 mutation in familial amyloid cardiomyopathy of Danish origin

Summary Familial amyloid cardiomyopathy in a Danish kindred is associated with a specific mutation (Met for Leu¹¹¹) in the transthyretin (TTR) gene, causing the loss of a recognition site for the restriction enzyme DdeI in the gene. We describe a diagnostic test for the molecular detection of this mutation. A sequence of the TTR gene containing the mutation was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction from isolated genomic DNA of two affected patients and several controls. DdeI digestion of the amplified DNA from the patients revealed 3 bands by gel-electrophoresis, whereas amplified DNA of the controls showed only 2 bands, consistent with complete digestion. Thus, the assumed heterozygous TTR Met¹¹¹ mutation was confirmed in the affected patients.     

Structure of amplified DNA in different Syrian hamster cell lines resistant to N-(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate.

Syrian hamster cell lines selected in multiple steps for resistance to high levels of N-(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate (PALA) contain many copies of the gene coding for the pyrimidine pathway enzyme CAD. Approximately 500 kilobases of additional DNA was coamplified with each copy of the CAD gene in several cell lines. To investigate its structure and organization, we cloned ca. 162 kilobases of coamplified DNA from cell line 165-28 and ca. 68 kilobases from cell line B5-4, using a screening method based solely on the greater abundance of amplified sequences in the resistant cells. Individual cloned fragments were then used to probe Southern transfers of genomic DNA from 12 different PALA-resistant mutants and the wild-type parents. A contiguous region of DNA ca. 44 kilobases long which included the CAD gene was amplified in all 12 mutants. However, the fragments cloned from 165-28 which were external to this region were not amplified in any other mutant, and the external fragments cloned from B5-4 were not amplified in two of the mutants. These results suggest that movement or major rearrangement of DNA may have accompanied some of the amplification events. We also found that different fragments were amplified to different degrees within a single mutant cell line. We conclude that the amplified DNA was not comprised of identical, tandemly arranged units. Its structure was much more complex and was different in different mutants. Several restriction fragments containing amplified sequences were found only in the DNA of the mutant cell line from which they were isolated and were not detected in DNA from wild-type cells or from any other mutant cells. These fragments contained novel joints created by rearrangement of the DNA during amplification. The cloned novel fragments hybridized only to normal fragments in every cell line examined, except for the line from which each novel fragment was isolated or the parental population for that line. This result argues that "hot spots" for forming novel joints are rare or nonexistent.     

Assessment of DNA damage and repair in specific genomic regions by quantitative immuno-coupled PCR.

Fine analysis of DNA damage and repair at the subgenomic level has indicated a microheterogeneity of DNA repair in mammalian cells, including human. In addition to the well established Southern hybridization-based approach to investigate gene-specific DNA damage and repair, alternative methods utilizing the sensitivity of PCR have been evaluated. The latter technique has relied on decreased PCR amplification due to damage in template DNA. We have developed a novel quantitative assay combining the selective recovery of DNA damage containing genomic fragments with the PCR amplification. DNA isolated from 7,8-dihydroxy-anti-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (anti-BPDE) treated human skin fibroblasts was immunoprecipitated with polyclonal antibody BP-1. Recovered target sequences were amplified by PCR using primers encompassing a 149 bp target region around codon 12 of the H-ras proto-oncogene. Quantitative DNA damage specific response was observed with nanogram amounts of genomic DNA. This approach allowed analysis of the initial DNA damage at a level less than 1 anti-BPDE adduct per 6.4 kbp ras gene fragment. Repair proficient GM637 cells exposed to 2 microM anti-BPDE showed a faster removal of the adducts from the H-ras gene segment than from the genome overall. Gene-specific repair was not apparent in GM4429 xeroderma pigmentosum (complementation group A) cells. The established technique could be extended to the quantitative measurement of the repair of diverse DNA base lesions in any genomic region of known sequence.     

Asbestos and cigarette smoke cause increased DNA strand breaks and necrosis in bronchiolar epithelial cells in vivo

Coexposures to asbestos and cigarette smoke cause increased risks of lung cancer in asbestos workers. Although these carcinogens cause DNA damage to epithelial cells in vitro via generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), it is unclear whether they cause injury to bronchiolar epithelial cells (i.e., the target cells of lung cancers in vivo). We exposed rats to amosite asbestos, cigarette smoke, and the two agents in combination for 1, 2, and 14 d. Numbers of cells exhibiting DNA strand breaks in comparison to sham rats were then evaluated in lungs using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TDT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Increases in TUNEL-positive, necrotic epithelial cells occurred after exposure to asbestos alone and in an additive fashion after smoke and asbestos in combination. These results indicate that DNA strand breakage and necrosis are prominent mechanisms of injury by asbestos fibers and cigarette smoke in vivo to epithelial cells of the respiratory tract, thus validating in vitro observations from a number of laboratories.     

Exon 7 Ncol restriction site within CYP21B (steroid 21-hydroxylase) is a normal polymorphism

A point mutation within exon 7 producing an amino acid coding change and a recognition site for the endonuclease Ncol has been reported in the HLA-Bw47-linked CYP21A pseudogene and some mutant CYP21B (steroid 21-hydroxylase) genes of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Whether this mutation is deleterious was not demonstrated. We analyzed DNA from various subjects for the presence of the exon 7 Ncol site: group 1, 10 normal subjects; group 2, 11 patients with salt-losing CAH; and group 3, 18 members of an Amish pedigree in which 10 expressed HLA-Bw47 not linked to CAH. Southern blots of Ncol-digested genomic DNA which were hybridized with CYP21 cDNA showed that four subjects of group 1 had a heterozygous Ncol pattern. In group 2, seven patients had the Ncol site; two of them were homozygous for the site and had deletions of both CYP21B genes. The other five were heterozygous for the Ncol site, which was linked to a CYP21B deletion and a HLA-Bw47 haplotype. In group 3, no one exhibited the exon 7 Ncol site. To map the Ncol sites to CYP21A or CYP21B in the normal subjects, DNA from the four Ncol heterozygous subjects was double digested with Ncol and Mbol and hybridized with CYP21 cDNA. Ncol-Mbol fragments unique to CYP21A were identified in all four, but the smaller CYP21B-specific fragments were not detected. Their genomic DNA in the region of exon 7 (bases +1167 to +2058) was then amplified, cloned, and sequenced.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)