Abstract
Total RNA from human hair follicles was reverse transcribed and amplified using primers specific for aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Agarose electrophoresis of the amplified products showed reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) products of the expected size for both TH and AADC. Sequencing showed that the amplified products matched the known sequences of TH and AADC. This study identifies hair follicles as a convenient, uninvasive, source of the mRNA for TH and AADC. Analysis of these mRNA's may be useful in the diagnosis and investigation of conditions resulting from qualitative changes in the genes that code for these enzymes.
Highlights
Inherited defects affecting tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) [5,6] and aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) [4,7] have recently been described
We recently demonstrated the presence of TH and AADC mRNA in human keratinocytes [2]
We examined human hair follicles to determine whether they might provide a source of TH or AADC mRNA that could be more obtained in a clinical setting
Summary
Inherited defects affecting tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) [5,6] and aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) [4,7] have recently been described. Establishing the molecular cause of these defects is complicated by the lack of an obtainable source of tissue which contains the TH and AADC mRNA or protein. These cells can be cultured in the laboratory and could provide a useful source of mRNA for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the methods for collection of skin tissue and the culture of keratinocytes are not standard practice in most laboratories.
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