High levels of messenger RNA for transthyretin (prealbumin) in human choroid plexus.

We have investigated the expression of the gene for transthyretin (prealbumin) in the human choroid plexus. RNA was isolated from the human choroid plexus, fractionated by electrophoresis in agarose gel and transferred onto a nitrocellulose filter membrane. Transthyretin messenger RNA (mRNA) was identified by hybridization to radioactive complementary DNA for rat transthyretin. The level of transthyretin mRNA in the human choroid plexus was found to be at least 40 times higher than in human liver, suggesting very active synthesis of transthyretin in the choroid plexus.