Subject methionine synthase

Fig. 4 Cap domain is absent in methionine synthase mRNA from aged subjects. rt-PCR was carried out with RNA from human cortex using primers for each of the five domains in methionine synthase. Note the presence of fiiU (upper band) and partially spliced (lower band) products in mRNA from the 24-year-old subject...

Fig. 6 Methionine synthase mRNA levels in human cortex are reduced in autism. RNA samples from autistic and non-autistic subjects were probed using qRT-PCR with specific primers to the CAP and COB domains of methionine synthase, n = 11 for each group ( p<0.05 compared to control for the CAP primer set p<0.05 compared to control for the COB primer set)...

Our laboratory was the first to demonstrate the ability of thimerosal to potently inhibit methionine synthase activity in cultured human neuronal cells (Waly et al., 2004). Subsequent research has shown that inhibition results from a reduction in GSH levels and impaired methylcobalamin synthesis, under conditions where methionine synthase activity is absolutely dependent upon methylcobalamin (M. Waly, unpublished observation). The fact that autistic subjects exhibit lower GSH levels and lower methionine synthase activity lends credence to the mercury... 

Fig. 5. Change in the molecular size of ACC synthase in vitro. A crude extract of wounded and p" S[methionine-labeled mesocarp slices was incubated at 30°C for O (lane 7), 1 (lane 2), 8 (lane 3) and 14 h (lane 4). ACC synthase was collected by the antibody and subjected to SDS-PAGE/fluorography...

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