Author/Editor		Falnoga, I; Kregar, I; Škreblin, M; Tušek-Žnidarič, M; Stegnar, P
Title		Interactions of mercury in rat brain
Type		članek
Source		Biol Trace Elem Res
Vol. and No.		Letnik 37, št. 1
Publication year		1993
Volume		str. 71-83
Language		eng
Abstract		In order to study the metabolism of mercury (Hg), its affinity to metallothionein (MT), and its influence on levels of the essential metals copper and zinc in the brain tissue of rats exposed to elemental mercury (HgO) vapor was investigated. The major findings were: 1. After long-term exposure, about 40 percent of mercury was found in the brain water-soluble phase (supernatant); 2. In brain supernatant, about 80 percent of Hg was found in the range of low-molecular-weight proteins; the MT-like protein Hg-Cu-Zn-thionein was isolated and partially characterized; 3. HgO vapor exposure resulted in increased tissue levels of essential Cu and Zn in addition to exogenous Hg; and 4. Experiments showed that HgO vapor exposure can induce the stimulation of rat brain MT synthesis.
Descriptors		BRAIN MERCURY METALLOTHIONEIN BRAIN CHROMATOGRAPHY, ION EXCHANGE COPPER MERCURY PROTEIN BINDING RATS RATS, WISTAR SPECTROPHOTOMETRY, ULTRAVIOLET ZINC