Effects of four mercury compounds on the generation time and cell division in Tetrahymena pyriformis, WH14

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1972 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-9351(72)90045-X· OSTI ID:5517268

Thrasher, J D; Adams, J F

The effects of four mercuric compounds (HgCl/sub 2/, phenyl mercuric acetate, ethyl mercuric chloride, and methyl mercuric chloride) on the generation time of Tetrahymena pyriformis have been investigated. HgCl/sub 2/ is the least toxic of the four compounds. It causes an increase (5-150%) in the generation time between concentrations of 1.5-5.29 mg/l. Similar observations for phenylmercuric acetate, ethylmercuric and methylmercuric chloride were made at concentrations of 0.022-0.54 ml/liter, 0.04-0.3 mg/liter and 0.04-0.140 mg/liter, respectively. Preliminary observations from experiments that used 2-mercaptoethanol to ameliorate the toxicity of organomercurials suggest that thiol groups are the target sites. The concentrations of each of the four mercurials that cause a 100% increase in the generation time are 1.6 x 10/sup -5/ M, 1.3 x 10/sup -6/ M, 7.4 x 10/sup -7/ M, and 5.6 x 10/sup -7/ M, respectively. The interaction of organomercurials with microtubule proteins is discussed as a possible mechanism for inhibition of cell division. 13 references, 4 figures, 3 tables.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Los Angeles
• OSTI ID: 5517268
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 5; ISSN ENVRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560302* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Microorganisms-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CELL DIVISION
CILIATA
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ELEMENTS
INVERTEBRATES
KINETICS
MERCURY
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PROTEINS
PROTOZOA
REACTION KINETICS
TETRAHYMENA
THIOLS
TOXICITY