S-mercuration of cellular proteins by methylmercury and its toxicological implications

J Toxicol Sci. 2014;39(5):687-700. doi: 10.2131/jts.39.687.

Abstract

The accumulation of methylmercury (MeHg) through the daily consumption of large predatory fish poses potential health risks. MeHg has been found to cause Minamata disease, but the full nature of MeHg toxicity remains unclear. Because of its chemical properties, MeHg covalently binds to cellular proteins through their reactive thiols, referred to as S-mercuration, resulting in the formation of protein adducts. In this review, we summarize how the S-mercuration of cellular proteins could be involved in the major mechanisms that have been suggested to underlie MeHg toxicity. Additionally, we introduce our attempts to identify cases of S-mercuration for the research to reveal the true nature of MeHg toxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arginase
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cysteine / metabolism
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • Humans
  • L-Iditol 2-Dehydrogenase
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Methylmercury Compounds / chemistry
  • Methylmercury Compounds / metabolism*
  • Methylmercury Compounds / toxicity*
  • Microtubules
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Protein Binding
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / metabolism
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Tubulin

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins
  • Methylmercury Compounds
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • Tubulin
  • Glutamic Acid
  • L-Iditol 2-Dehydrogenase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • ARG1 protein, human
  • Arginase
  • Cysteine
  • Calcium