DETECTION OF DUCHENNE MUSCULAR-DYSTROPHY GENE-PRODUCTS IN AMNIOTIC-FLUID AND CHORIONIC VILLUS SAMPLING CELLS

We have examined the expression of several Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene products in amniotic fluid (AF) and chorionic villus sampl ing (CVS) cells. Variable amounts of dystrophin could be detected in m ost CVS and AF samples by immunoprecipitation followed by Western blot analysis. PCR analysis demonstrated the presence of the muscle type d ystrophin mRNA in all AF cell cultures. The brain type dystrophin mRNA was also detected in some of these cultures. These DMD gene transcrip ts are of fetal origin and are produced by most or all clonable AF cel ls. The results may facilitate the development of a method for prenata l diagnosis of DMD, based on the expression of the gene in AF and CVS cells.