• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.387-397
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• 2012

In this study, we focused on myomoduline A (MMA) released from the central nervous system of Aplysia kurodai. The primary structure of MMA is Pro-Met-Ser-Met-Leu-Arg-Leu-$NH_2$. This peptide is the same as that of the myomodulin family peptide found in other mollusks. The purified MMA showed a modulating activity of phasic contraction on the anterior byssus retractor muscle (ABRM) of Mytilus edulis. In order to study the relationship between the structure and biological activity of MMA, we synthesized MMA, Des[$Pro^1$]-MMA, Des[$Pro^1,Met^2$]-MMA, Des[$Pro^1,Met^2,Ser^3$]-MMA, and MME. The amino acid sequences of Des[$Pro^1$]-MMA, Des[$Pro^1,Met^2$]-MMA, and Des[$Pro^1,Met^2,Ser^3$]-MMA were Met-Ser-Met-Leu-Arg-Leu-$NH_2$, Ser-Met-Leu-Arg-Leu-$NH_2$, and Met-Leu-Arg-Leu-$NH_2$, respectively. MMA and synthetic peptides were tested on ABRM in M. edulis as well as muscle preparations in Achatina fulica. At $1{\times}10^{-8}$ M or lower, MMA showed a potentiating effect on phasic contraction of the ABRM, but this peptide had an inhibitory effect at $1{\times}10^{-6}$ M or higher. Both MMA and its analogs stimulated a contractile response on the crop and a relaxed catch-relaxing response on the penial retractor muscle of A. fulica. These results suggest that Met-Leu-Arg-Leu-$NH_2$ in MMA is the minimum structure required for the regulation of the contraction of ABRM, as well as the reproductive and digestive activities of mollusks.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.611-615
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• 2008

DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism for gene silencing. In Arabidopsis, MET1 is the primary DNA methyltransferase that maintains CG DNA methylation. Plants having an overall reduction of MET1 activity, caused by a met1 mutation or a constitutively expressed MET1 antisense gene, display genome hypomethylation, inappropriate gene and transposon transcription, and developmental abnormalities. However, the effect of a transient reduction in MET1 activity caused by inhibiting MET1 expression in a restricted set of cells is not known. For this reason, we generated transgenic plants with a MET1 antisense gene fused to the DEMETER (DME) promoter (DME:MET1 a/s). Here we show that DME is expressed in leaf primordia, lateral root primoridia, in the region distal to the primary root apical meristem, which are regions that include proliferating cells. Endogenous MET1 expression was normal in organs where the DME:MET1 a/s was not expressed. Although DME promoter is active only in a small set of cells, these plants displayed global developmental abnormalities. Moreover, centromeric repeats were hypomethylated. The developmental defects were accumulated by the generations. Thus, not maintaining CG methylation in a small population of proliferating cells flanking the meristems causes global developmental and epigenetic abnormalities that cannot be rescued by restoring MET1 activity. These results suggest that during plant development there is little or no short-term molecular memory for reestablishing certain patterns of CG methylation that are maintained by MET1. Thus, continuous MET1 activity in dividing cells is essential for proper patterns of CG DNA methylation and development.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1010-1017
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• 2007

Two alternative pathways for methionine biosynthesis are known in Corynebacterium glutamicum: one involving transsulfuration (mediated by metB and metC) and the other involving direct sulfhydrylation (mediated by metY). In this study, MetB (cystathionine ${\gamma}-synthase$) and MetY (O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase) from C. glutamicum were purified to homogeneity and the biochemical parameters were compared to assess the functional and evolutionary importance of each pathway. The molecular masses of the native MetB and MetY proteins were measured to be approximately 170 and 280 kDa, respectively, showing that MetB was a homotetramer of 40-kDa subunits and MetY was a homohexamer of 45-kDa subunits. The $K_m$ values for the O-acetylhomoserine catalysis effected by MetB and MetY were 3.9 and 6.4 mM, and the maximum catalysis rates were $7.4\;(k_{cat}=21\;S^{-1})\;and\;6.0\;(k_{cat}=28\;S^{-1})\;{\mu}mol\;mg^{-1}\;min^{-1}$, respectively. This suggests that both MetB and MetY can be comparably active in vivo. Nevertheless, the $K_m$ value for sulfide ions by MetY was 8.6mM, which was too high, considering the physiological condition. Moreover, MetB was active at a broad range of temperatures $(30\;and\;65^{\circ}C)$ and pH (6.5 and 10.0), as compared with MetY, which was active in a range from 30 to $45^{\circ}C$ and at pH values from 7.0 to 8.5. In addition, MetY was inhibited by methionine, but MetB was not. These biochemical data may provide insight on the role of the parallel pathways of methionine biosynthesis in C. glutamicum with regard to cell physiology and evolution.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.746-757
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• 2021

Plant somatic cells can be reprogrammed into a pluripotent cell mass, called callus, which can be subsequently used for de novo shoot regeneration through a two-step in vitro tissue culture method. MET1-dependent CG methylation has been implicated in plant regeneration in Arabidopsis, because the met1-3 mutant exhibits increased shoot regeneration compared with the wild-type. To understand the role of MET1 in de novo shoot regeneration, we compared the genome-wide DNA methylomes and transcriptomes of wildtype and met1-3 callus and leaf. The CG methylation patterns were largely unchanged during leaf-to-callus transition, suggesting that the altered regeneration phenotype of met1-3 was caused by the constitutively hypomethylated genes, independent of the tissue type. In particular, MET1-dependent CG methylation was observed at the blue light receptor genes, CRYPTOCHROME 1 (CRY1) and CRY2, which reduced their expression. Coexpression network analysis revealed that the CRY1 gene was closely linked to cytokinin signaling genes. Consistently, functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes in met1-3 showed that gene ontology terms related to light and hormone signaling were overrepresented. Overall, our findings indicate that MET1-dependent repression of light and cytokinin signaling influences plant regeneration capacity and shoot identity establishment.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.277-286
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• 1985

From a series of studies conducted on the local maize lines at the Agr. College of the Chungnam National Univ., a few maize lines with many tillers and ears per plant were identified and tentatively named as MET. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the MET lines, which were selfed for five generations, for silage purpose under the different plant densities. A hybrid, Suwon #19 and a synthetic variety, Puyo #3${\times}$#2, were included for comparison. Plant height at harvesting times showed no significant varietal differences. However, the MET lines were very slow in early plant growth compared to the hybrid or synthetic variety, probably due to inbreeding depression of the MET lines. Total fresh weight at the harvesting times was highest in the MET 1 line. The MET 1 line was about 2,000 kgr. per 10a. higher than the hybrid at the harvesting time. The highest fresh weight was obtained when grown under the plant density of 60 ${\times}$ 20cm. Total dry weight per unit area showed the same tendency as the fresh weight. Total dry weight of MET 1 line was about 2.4 tons per 10a., which was about 10% higher than the hybrid, Suwon #19. As the fresh weight, the total dry weight was also highest in the plant density of 60 ${\times}$ 20cm. The grain yield per 10 are of MET 1 was comparable to the grain yield of the hybrid, especially in the low plant density, 60 ${\times}$ 40cm. The average number of effective tillers of MET lines were 4.5, while the mean tiller number of the hybrid or synthetic variety were none. However, the lodging was one of the problem for growing MET lines. The 100 kernel weight of MET lines was about 9 gr., while the 100 kernel weight of the hybrid or synthetic variety was about 30 grm.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 1984

A Korean local maize line, MET, which has multi-ears and tillers has been proved as a potential source for silage production. However, no fundamental genetic nature for the line has been investigated. Therefore, this study was done to find genetic information on the multi-earing and -tillering habits of MET line. MET line and a hybrid. (Mo 17 ${\times}$ B68), with monoculm and single ear per plant were used for production of F$_1$(F$\_$1-12/ and F$\_$1-21/), F$\_$2-12/, F$\_$2-21/, BC$\_$1-12/ and BC$\_$1-21/ generations. From the comparison of reciprocal crosses, it was found that the tillering and earing habits of the MET line are controlled by cytoplasmic factors. The tiller and ear numbers, and barren ears were all characters associated with the MET cytoplasm. The cytoplasmic effect of MET on tiller and ear numb en was not evident in F$_1$ generation, probably because of suppressing effect of heterosis on appearance of tillers or ears. Genetic parameters for the gene action for both tiller and ear number also indicated a lack of mono- or digenic-chromosomal gene effects. The heritability (broad) was very low for both characters. Therefore, it is strongly concluded that the tillering and earing characters of MET line are due to cytoplasmic reasons.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.1126-1141
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• 2021

Recent evidence has shown that methionine (Met) supplementation can improve milk protein synthesis under hyperthermia (which reduces milk production). To explore the mechanism by which milk protein synthesis is affected by Met supplementation under hyperthermia, mammary alveolar (MAC-T) cells were incubated at a hyperthermic temperature of 42℃ for 6 h in media with different concentrations of Met. While the control group (CON) contained a normal amino acid concentration profile (60 ㎍/mL of Met), the three treatment groups were supplemented with Met at concentrations of 10 ㎍/mL (MET70, 70 ㎍/mL of Met), 20 ㎍/mL (MET80, 80 ㎍/mL of Met), and 30 ㎍/mL (MET90,90 ㎍/mL of Met). Our results show that additional Met supplementation increases the mRNA and protein levels of BCL2 (B-cell lymphoma-2, an anti-apoptosis agent), and decreases the mRNA and protein levels of BAX (Bcl-2-associated X protein, a pro-apoptosis agent), especially at an additional supplementary concentration of 20 ㎍/mL (group Met80). Supplementation with higher concentrations of Met decreased the mRNA levels of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, and increased protein levels of heat shock protein (HSP70). The total protein levels of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the mTOR signalling pathway-related proteins, AKT, ribosomal protein S6 kinase B1 (RPS6KB1), and ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6), increased with increasing Met supplementation, and peaked at 80 ㎍/mL Met (group Met80). In addition, we also found that additional Met supplementation upregulated the gene expression of αS1-casein (CSN1S1), β-casein (CSN2), and the amino acid transporter genes SLC38A2, SLC38A3 which are known to be mTOR targets. Additional Met supplementation, however, had no effect on the gene expression of κ-casein (CSN3) and solute carrier family 34 member 2 (SLC34A2). Our results suggest that additional Met supplementation with 20 ㎍/mL may promote the synthesis of milk proteins in bovine mammary epithelial cells under hyperthermia by inhibiting apoptosis, activating the AKT-mTOR-RPS6KB1 signalling pathway, and regulating the entry of amino acids into these cells.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.166-173
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• 1985

The multiple ear and tiller line (MET), which was selected from a local maize collection and has been selected for earliness by selfing for five generations, was compared its plant characteristics with four U.S. leading hybrids. 1. The general plant growth was a little retarded by poor soil fertility and structure. 2. The fresh weight of the MET line was about 97.8% of the U.S. check varieties. 3. The dry weight of the MET line was also about 94.5% of the check U.S. hybrids (1,695 kg / 10a.). 4. The tillering and eating habits of the MET line had contributed toward increasing fresh and dry weight of the MET line. 5. The average plant height of the MET line was much less than those of the check varieties, due to the selfing depression manifested by the MET line, (234.7cm. of the MET vs 250.7cm. of the check) 6. Apparent differences of disease resistance was observed among varieties studied. The degree of plants infected with the black stripe mosaic virus was over 20% for the check U.S. hybrids, while less than 5% of the MET line was infected with the disease. 7. The grain yield per 10 a of the MET line was far below the check hybrids due to the inbreeding depression of the MET line. However, the kernel number per unit area of the MET line with small size kernel was much greater than that of the check hybrids. The 100 kernel weight of the MET line was around 10 grams. 8. The average fresh and dry matter weight of the three ($sorghum{\times}sudan$ grass) varieties was very much alike with those of the MET line. 9. In conclusion, the use of the MET line for silage production may have dual adventages because of its low seed price and of its small size kernels, which may reduce the amount of seeds required for planting in an unit area.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.46-56
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical effects of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) for peroneal nerve palsy after normal delivery. Methods: Two patients with peroneal nerve palsy were treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping and MET. MET was performed in piriform, gluteus medius, anterior tibial and adductor muscles. To evaluate the effect of MET, we analyzed Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), Manual Muscle Test (MMT), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Ankle Hindfoot Scale (AHS). Results: In Case 1, ROM score was changed from −5 to 20, and MMT score was changed from 0 to 4. NRS score was changed from 5 to 1, and her AHS score was changed from 54 to 94 after treatment. In Case 2, ROM score was changed from 0 to 20, and her MMT score was changed from 1 to 5. NRS score was changed from 4 to 1, and her AHS score was changed from 64 to 97 after treatment. Conclusions: MET may be a useful treatment for patients who, shortly after childbirth or while breastfeeding, strongly refuse to treat the irritation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6181-6186
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• 2014

This meta-analysis was conducted to examine whether the genotype status of Val158Met polymorphism in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is associated with endometrial and ovarian cancer risk. Eligible studies were identified by searching several databases for relevant reports published before January 1, 2014. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were appropriately derived from fixed-effects or random-effects models. In total, 15 studies (1,293 cases and 2,647 controls for ovarian cancer and 2,174 cases and 2,699 controls for endometrial cancer) were included in the present meta-analysis. When all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis, there was no evidence for significant association between COMT Val158Met polymorphism and ovarian cancer risk (Val/Met versus Val/Val: OR=0.91, 95% CI=0.76-1.08; Met/Met versus Val/Val: OR=0.90, 95% CI=0.73-1.10; dominant model: OR=0.90, 95% CI=0.77-1.06; recessive model: OR=0.95, 95% CI=0.80-1.13). Similarly, no associations were found in all comparisons for endometrial cancer (Val/Met versus Val/Val: OR 0.97, 95% CI=0.77-1.21; Met/Met versus Val/Val: OR=1.02, 95% CI=0.73-1.42; dominant model: OR=0.98, 95% CI=0.77-1.25; recessive model: OR=1.02, 95% CI=0.87-1.20). In the subgroup analyses by source of control and ethnicity, no significant associations were found in any subgroup of population. This meta-analysis strongly suggests that COMT Val158Met polymorphism is not associated with increased endometrial and ovarian cancer risk.