Methylmercury induced injury of single barnacle muscle fibers

The effects of methylmercury on sodium transport, resting membrane potential, and ultrastructure of single barnacle muscle fibers were studied. Methylmercury (10 −4 m) reduced the ouabain-sensitive Na efflux and caused a contraction which was preceded by a small fall in the resting membrane potentia...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental research 1976-06, Vol.11 (3), p.367-385
Main Authors: Hift, Helen, Schultz, Ronald
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological Transport
Cell Membrane - drug effects
Membrane Potentials - drug effects
Methylmercury Compounds - pharmacology
Microscopy, Electron
Mitochondria - drug effects
Muscle Contraction
Muscles - drug effects
Muscles - physiology
Muscles - ultrastructure
Sodium - metabolism
Thoracica - drug effects
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Summary:The effects of methylmercury on sodium transport, resting membrane potential, and ultrastructure of single barnacle muscle fibers were studied. Methylmercury (10 −4 m) reduced the ouabain-sensitive Na efflux and caused a contraction which was preceded by a small fall in the resting membrane potential. The ultrastructural damage caused by methylmercury consisted of a series of mitochondrial changes, the gradual disintegration of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and the formation of gaps in the plasmalemma leading to the breakdown of the muscle fiber. It is suggested that the early decline in the Na efflux may be related, in part, to a reduced ATP supply and that the terminal rise in the Na efflux is the result of the destruction of the sarcolemma.
ISSN:0013-9351
1096-0953
DOI:10.1016/0013-9351(76)90099-2