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FLOW CYTOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE MECHANISM OF METHYLMERCURY CYTOTOXICITY
Citation:
Zucker, R., K. Elstein, R. Easterling, AND E. Massaro. FLOW CYTOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE MECHANISM OF METHYLMERCURY CYTOTOXICITY. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-90/353 (NTIS PB91163675), 1990.
Description:
The target and degree of methylmercury cytotoxicity are dose-dependent. ollowing 6 h exposure to 2.5 -7.5 uM, ethylmercury (MeHg) progressively inhibits DNA synthesis and induces chromosomal damage In murine erythroleukemic cells. However, following exposure to 10 - 50 uM MeHg, the plasma membrane/cytoplasm complex is grossly perturbed, cell cycle progression is blocked, and chromosomes appear in ring formations. These findings, together with those previously observed following organotin exposure, also suggest that severe and nonspecific toxicity may be a common endpoint of exposure to high levels of organometals.