Host: The Japanese Society of Toxicology
Methylmercury (MeHg) binds to the cysteine residues of proteins in organs causing cytotoxicity. However, the relationship between MeHg and gut bacteria remains poorly understood. In this study, we showed that MeHg binds covalently to gut bacterial proteins via cysteine residues and MeHg inhibits the growth of Lactobacillus. We found that gut bacteria contribute to the production of reactive sulfur species such as hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen persulfide in the gut. We also discovered that the removal of gut bacteria accelerated accumulation of mercury in the cerebellum, liver, and lungs of mice subsequent to MeHg exposure.
