Interaction of mercury(II) with the microtubule cytoskeleton in IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells.
On the background of the neurotoxicity of mercury compounds, the interaction of mercury(II) with the cytoskeleton was investigated in vitro using IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells. Conditions for culture of these cells on microscopic slides and procedures for immunofluorescence staining of the microtubule network were optimised. Both morphology and viability of IMR-32 cells were affected by mercury(II) at concentrations higher than 15 microM. Pronounced disintegration of the microtubule cytoskeleton was detected at 30 microM mercury(II). Compared to previous studies with fibroblasts, the no-observed-effect concentration was markedly lower, pointing to a particular sensitivity of nerve cells to mercury. This could be due to disturbed information transfer processes depending on an intact microtubule system.
Stoiber
Thomas
T
Institut für Molekulare Biotechnologie, Beutenbergstr. 11, Jena D-07745, Germany. tstoiber@imb-jena.de
Degen
Gisela H
GH
Bolt
Hermann M
HM
Unger
Eberhard
E
D002232:Carbocyanines / Q000737:chemistry; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
D002232:Carbocyanines; C089187:cyanine dye 3; D008627:Mercuric Chloride