Macromolecular metabolism in hyperplastic epidermal disease--a radio-autographic study.

Abstract

SUMMARY Radio-autographic techniques have been applied to the study of three hyperplastic human epidermal diseases; psoriasis, seborrhoeic keratoses and Bowen's disease. In each, a different alteration of nucleic acid and protein synthesis has been found when the abnormal tissue is compared to clinically normal contiguous skin. Psoriasis was characterized by stimulation of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis, while in mature seborrhoeic keratoses DNA synthesis was decreased at the same time as RNA and protein synthesis were increased. In Bowen's disease DNA and protein synthesis were enhanced, but the number of cells involved in RNA synthesis was decreased. Similar methods have been applied to psoriatic epidermis during treatment with vitamin A acid ointment. The medication resulted in inhibiton of DNA synthesis at a time when RNA and protein synthesis were enhanced.