The modification and expression of 21-hydroxylase gene in normal human adrenal gland and adrenal cancer.

Genomic DNA and total RNA from three adrenal cancer tissues were analyzed by hybridization with human 21-hydroxylase gene. Southern blot analysis with restriction enzyme Eco RI revealed major fragments at 18, 13 and 9 kilobase (kb) in normal adrenal glands. In two of three adrenal cancers, however, the band at 18 kb was either absent or decreased and the 9 kb fragment showed an increase in its intensity. Normal liver, kidney and leucocytes has only 18 and 13 kb while lacking the 9 kb fragment. Using Taq I, Bam HI or Bgl II, we found no difference in restriction fragment patterns between adrenal cancer and normal tissues. Cleavage with Hpa II after digestion with Bgl II showed that significantly more DNA was digested into low-molecular weight fragments in adrenal cancer and the normal adrenal gland than those in other normal tissues. By Northern blot analysis, there was difference of signal intensity of hybridizing mRNA between the adrenal cancers and normal adrenal glands. These results suggest that the Eco RI site in the flanking region of the 21-hydroxylase gene may be modified in adrenal cancer tissue, and that inadequate 21-hydroxylase is present in some forms of adrenal cancers.