[Effects of methylmercury on embryonic cell behavior and expression of related gene].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the mechanism of embryonic developmental toxicity of methyl mercury at cellular and gene levels.


METHODS
Effects of methylmercury on embryonic cell behavior and gene expression in rats were observed with in vitro (0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.40, 0.80 and 1.60 mg/L of methylmercury) and in vivo (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 mg/L of methylmercury) rat models, in situ hybridization and TdT-induced dUTP nick end labeling techniques.


RESULTS
Methylmercury could pass through yolk-sac placenta quickly, and inhibit placenta development and blood vessel differentiation there at higher concentration. There was a dose-response relationship between concentration of methylmercury and its embryonic developmental toxicity. Its developmental toxicity mainly characterized as patent neural tube and anomalous flexion. Methylmercury could induce excessive apoptosis of embryonic cells, inhibit apparently the synthesis of cellular DNA and RNA and damage its cellular ultrastructure. It also could induce significantly the expression of heat shock protein 70 mRNA and inhibit the expression of fibronectin and p16 mRNA. There was relationship between heat shock protein 70 mRNA, Ca(2+), apoptosis and teratogenesis.


CONCLUSIONS
Disturbance of embryonic cell behavior and related gene expression played important roles in developmental toxicity caused by methylmercury.
Li
Y
Y
National Center for Maternal and Infant Health Care of China, Beijing Medical University, Beijing 100083.
Li
S
S
Zhao
R
R
Chen
X
X
Pan
Q
Q
Sun
M
M
Li
Z
Z
D000818:Animals; D046508:Culture Techniques; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D005353:Fibronectins; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D012333:RNA, Messenger