HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by McBride, M W Articles by Sutcliffe, R G Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by McBride, M W Articles by Sutcliffe, R G

Four hirsute females from a family exhibiting idiopathic dominant hirsutism were examined. Basal blood levels of ⁵ and ⁴ steroids were within the normal range, but ACTH stimulation led to increases in 17-hydroxypregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone that were significantly above control levels. Using polymorphic genetic markers, the genes for cytochrome P450c17 encoded by CYP17, and the type I and II forms of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) were found not to segregate with hirsutism in this family, though a base substitution was detected in the 3' end of exon 1 of the gene for 3β-HSD type I in three of the four patients investigated.

Analysis of PCR amplification products by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequencing revealed a novel homologue of exon 3 of 3β-HSD. DNA of one of the affected patients was used to create a genomic library in gem11 and clones containing the novel homologue were obtained and partially sequenced. The equivalent clone was obtained from a genomic library of an unrelated normal individual. The sequences of the clones from patient and control were identical and homologous to exons 2–4 of human 3β-HSD types I and II. No difference was found in the PCR primer sites that flanked the exon 3 homologue which led to its detection on DGGE gels. In both clones, stop codons and deletions were identified in the exon 4 homologue, leading to the deduction that the sequence comes from a pseudogene, which we call 3β-HSD 1. The pseudogene mapped to chromosome 1p13. It was concluded that dominantly inherited idiopathic hirsutism in this rare kindred was not due to deficiencies in 3β-HSD types I, II, or , or of CYP17.