Methylmercury induces the opening of the permeability transition pore in rat liver mitochondria.
Interactions of methylmercury (CH(3)HgCl) with non-energized mitochondria from rat liver (non-respiring mitochondria) have been investigated in this paper. It has been shown that CH(3)HgCl induces swelling in mitochondria suspended in a sucrose medium. Swelling has also been induced by detergent compounds and by phenylarsine, a chemical compound which induces opening of the permeant transition pore (MTP). Opening of the MTP is inhibited by means of cyclosporine A. Results indicate that the swelling induced by CH(3)HgCl, as in the case of phenylarsine, is inhibited by cyclosporine A and Mg(2+), while swelling induced by detergent compounds is not cyclosporine sensitive. This comparison suggests that CH(3)HgCl induces opening of a permeability transition pore (MTP). Since the opening of an MTP induces cell death, this interaction with MTP could be one of the causes of toxicity of CH(3)HgCl.
Bragadin
Marcantonio
M
Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Università di Venezia, DD2137 30123, Venice, Italy. bragadin@unive.it
Marton
Daniele
D
Manente
Sabrina
S
Grasso
Mario
M
Toninello
Antonio
A
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000378:metabolism; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008933:Mitochondrial Swelling / Q000187:drug effects*; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium