Logo Medical Science Monitor

Call: +1.631.470.9640
Mon - Fri 10:00 am - 02:00 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor

01 April 2005 : Original article  

Toxicity induced by Hg2+ on choline acetyltransferase activity from E. electricus (L.) electrocytes: the protective effect of 2,3 dimercapto-propanol (BAL).

Nilson Nunes-Tavares, Rafael Hospodar Felippe Valverde, Glauce Maria Nunes Araújo, Aida Hassón-Voloch

Med Sci Monit 2005; 11(4): BR100-105 :: ID: 15868

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The effect of mercury (Hg(2+)) on the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) from electrocytes of Electrophorus electricus (L.) was studied due to the importance of this enzyme and acetylcholine in many neurochemical functions such as arousal, learning, and memory. MATERIAL/METHODS: Mercury, which has affinity to thiol groups, acted as a potent inhibitor of ChAT, which was obtained by differential centrifugation and ammonium sulfate precipitation, at 80%, from the main electric organ homogenate. RESULTS: Mercury inhibition presents different kinetic behaviors for both enzyme substrates: noncompetitive to choline and of mixed type to AcCoA, with inhibition constants on the order of 0.5 to 1.0 microM. The enzyme activity was recovered using 2,3 dimercapto-propanol (BAL), a well-known chelate for sulphydryl groups and metals, which acted as a protecting agent and was able to revert the Hg(2+) inhibition at a concentration of 10 (-6) M. After treatment with this metal and in the presence of 2,3 dimercapto-propanol, 70% of the enzyme activity was recovered for AcCoA and 80% for choline. CONCLUSIONS: The observed inhibition is likely due to direct protein interaction, because the addition of BAL reversed the effects of HgCl(2) on ChAT activity. The results cast new light on the mechanisms of mercurial neurotoxicity.

Keywords: Dimercaprol - therapeutic use, Electric Organ - enzymology, Electrophorus - physiology, Mercury Poisoning - enzymology, Mercury Poisoning - prevention & control, Chelating Agents - therapeutic use, Choline O-Acetyltransferase - metabolism, Dimercaprol - therapeutic use, Electric Organ - enzymology, Electrophorus - physiology, Kinetics, Mercury Poisoning - prevention & control

Add Comment 0 Comments

448 0

Editorial

01 June 2023 : Editorial  

Editorial: Infectious Disease Surveillance Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its Role in Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness

Dinah V. Parums
Science Editor, Medical Science Monitor, International Scientific Information, Inc., Melville, NY, USA

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.941209

Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e941209

0:00

In Press

01 Jun 2023 : Clinical Research  

Root Canal Numbers and Configurations in 1080 Permanent Canine Teeth in 270 Saudi Subjects Using Cone-Beam ...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940472  

01 Jun 2023 : Clinical Research  

Internal Orifice Alloy Closure: A New Procedure for Treatment of Perianal Fistulizing Crohn’s Disease

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940873  

01 Jun 2023 : Clinical Research  

Effectiveness of Needle Aspiration versus Surgical Excision for Symptomatic Synovial Cysts of the Hip: A Si...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940187  

01 Jun 2023 : Clinical Research  

Influence of Insulin Resistance on Diabetes Nephropathy

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.939482  

Most Viewed Current Articles

13 Nov 2021 : Clinical Research  

Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending the Oncology ...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.932788

Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e932788

0:00

30 Dec 2021 : Clinical Research  

Retrospective Study of Outcomes and Hospitalization Rates of Patients in Italy with a Confirmed Diagnosis o...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.935379

Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e935379

08 Mar 2022 : Review article  

A Review of the Potential Roles of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacological Approaches for the Man...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.936292

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936292

01 Jan 2022 : Editorial  

Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750
Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750