RNA methylation and polyamine metabolism in cystic fibrosis.

The autosomal recessively inherited disorder cystic fibrosis is clinically identified in patients 
by the pathognomonic finding of increased electrolyte content in the exocrine 
secretion sweat. Two other observations merit mention. First, the demonstration by 
Magos of the existence of a factor in CF sweat which 
interfered with reabsorption of sodium in the rat parotid. Secondly is 
the existence of a CF serum component which interfered with ciliary 
rhythm in organ culture systems. Our investigations in cystic fibrosis have 
been oriented towards the establishment of a possible pedigree of causes 
which will unite all these observations and secondly to develop a 
possible method for heterozygote detection. Cystic fibrosis RNA is relatively undermethylated 
in comparison with contrast cultures. In addition, CF heterozygote fibroblast cultures 
also appear undermethylated. Our interpretation of these data do not imply 
a primary defect of RNA methylases in cystic fibrosis but rather 
suggested a defect elsewhere in biochemical sequences involving methionine. 