DETECTION of CARRIERS and GENETIC COUNSELING IN DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY BY RIBOSOMAL PROTEIN SYNTHESIS

Abstract
The in vitro protein synthesis by polyribosomes extracted from biopsied muscle (vastus lateralis) was studied in 47 known carriers, 87 possible carriers and in 60 normal females. A significant increase in specific activity of monomeric ribosomes, total polyribosomes and collagen synthesis was found in 46 (97.8%) known carriers and 47 (54%) possible carriers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The latter showed an increase in ribosomal protein synthesis in 10 (52.6%) of 19 mothers of isolated cases, 31 (53.3%) of 58 sisters, and 6 (60%) of 10 other female relatives. Serum creatine phosphokinase was increased in 30 (63.8%) of 47 known carriers.