A possible molecular link between the toxicological effects of arsenic, selenium and methylmercury: methylmercury(II) seleno bis(S-glutathionyl) arsenic(III).
Using a combination of As and Se K-edge and Hg L(III)-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy, 77Se nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and molecular modeling, we have structurally characterized the novel species methylmercury(II) seleno bis(S-glutathionyl) arsenic(III). This species is formed in aqueous solution from CH3HgOH and the seleno bis(S-glutathionyl) arsinium ion and constitutes an important first step towards characterizing the observed toxicologically relevant interaction between arsenite, selenite and methylmercury which has been previously reported in mammals.
Korbas
Malgorzata
M
Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 114 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada.
Percy
Andrew J
AJ
Gailer
Jürgen
J
George
Graham Neil
GN
D001151:Arsenic / Q000633:toxicity*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D012643:Selenium / Q000633:toxicity*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D012643:Selenium; D001151:Arsenic