Block of sodium channels by divalent mercury: role of specific cysteinyl residues in the P-loop region

Evaluation of cadmium and mercury on cardiovascular and neurological systems: Effects on humans and fish

Chemicals are at the top of public health concerns and metals have received much attention in terms of toxicological studies. Cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) are among the most toxic heavy metals and are widely distributed in the environment. They are considered important factors involved in several organ disturbances. Heart and brain tissues are not among the first exposure sites to Cd and Hg but they are directly affected and may manifest intoxication reactions leading to death. Many cases of human intoxication with Cd and Hg showed that these metals have potential cardiotoxic and neurotoxic effects. Human exposure to heavy metals is through fish consumption which is considered as an excellent source of human nutrients. In the current review, we will summarize the most known cases of human intoxication with Cd and Hg, highlight their toxic effects on fish, and investigate the common signal pathways of both Cd and Hg to affect heart and brain tissues. Also, we will present the most common biomarkers used in the assessment of cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity using Zebrafish model.

Mercury-induced autoimmunity: Report of two adolescent siblings with Morvan syndrome "plus" and review of the literature

Heavy metal toxicity is a global health concern. Mercury intoxication has been implicated in the etiology and pathogenesis of autoimmune disease, including Morvan syndrome. We describe two siblings with overlapping features of distinct autoimmune syndromes following accidental exposure to elemental mercury. Morvan syndrome was the predominant clinical phenotype. In addition to the characteristic anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein 1 (LGI1) and anti-contactin-associated protein-like 2 (Caspr2) autoantibodies, glutamic acid decarboxylase 65-kilodalton isoform (GAD65), and N-type and P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) antibodies were detected. Treatment with chelation therapy, glucocorticoids, and intravenous immunoglobulin was unsuccessful, but complete resolution of symptoms was achieved following treatment with rituximab. Herein, we perform an extensive review of the literature with a focus on the emerging concepts of mercury-induced autoimmunity and the role of mercury in the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases of the nervous system.

Aquaporin biology of spermatogenesis and sperm physiology in mammals and teleosts

Fluid homeostasis is recognized as a critical factor during the development, maturation, and function of vertebrate male germ cells. These processes have been associated with the presence of multiple members of the aquaporin superfamily of water and solute channels in different cell types along the reproductive tract as well as in spermatozoa. We present a comparative analysis of the existing knowledge of aquaporin biology in the male reproductive tissues of mammals and teleosts. Current data suggest that in both vertebrate groups, aquaporins may have similar functions during differentiation of spermatozoa in the germinal epithelium, in the concentration and maturation of sperm in the testicular ducts, and in the regulation of osmotically induced volume changes in ejaculated spermatozoa. Recent studies have also provided insight into the possible function of aquaporins beyond water transport, such as in signaling pathways during spermatogenesis or the sensing of cell swelling and mitochondrial peroxide transport in activated sperm. However, an understanding of the specific physiological functions of the various aquaporins during germ cell development and sperm motility, as well as the molecular mechanisms involved, remains elusive. Novel experimental approaches need to be developed to elucidate these processes and to dissect the regulatory intracellular pathways implicated, which will greatly help to uncover the molecular basis of sperm physiology and male fertility in vertebrates.

Coordinated Action of Aquaporins Regulates Sperm Motility in a Marine Teleost

In marine teleosts, such as the gilthead seabream, several aquaporin paralogs are known to be expressed during the hyperosmotic induction of spermatozoon motility in seawater. Here, we used immunological inhibition of channel function to investigate the physiological roles of Aqp1aa, Aqp1ab, and Aqp7 during seabream sperm activation. Double immunofluorescence microscopy of SW-activated sperm showed that Aqp1aa and Aqp7 were respectively distributed along the flagellum and the head, whereas Aqp1ab accumulated in the head and in discrete areas toward the anterior tail. Inhibition of Aqp1aa reduced the rise of intracellular Ca(2+), which is independent of external Ca(2+) and normally occurs upon activation, and strongly inhibited sperm motility. Impaired Aqp1aa function also prevented the intracellular trafficking of Aqp8b to the mitochondrion, where it acts as a peroxiporin allowing H2O2 efflux and ATP production during activation. However, restoring the Ca(2+) levels with a Ca(2+) ionophore in spermatozoa with immunosuppressed Aqp1aa function fully rescued mitochondrial Aqp8b accumulation and sperm motility. In contrast, exposure of sperm to Aqp1ab and Aqp7 antibodies did not affect motility during the initial phase of activation, but latently compromised the trajectory and the pattern of movement. These data reveal the coordinated action of spatially segregated aquaporins during sperm motility activation in a marine teleost, where flagellar-localized Aqp1aa plays a dual Ca(2+)-dependent role controlling the initiation of sperm motility and the activation of mitochondrial detoxification mechanisms, while Aqp1ab and Aqp7 in the head and anterior tail direct the motion pattern.

Impact of methylmercury exposure on mitochondrial energetics in AC16 and H9C2 cardiomyocytes

It has been reported that chronic low dose exposures of methylmercury (MeHg) is associated with cardiovascular diseases in many populations worldwide. The toxic mechanisms through which these adverse effects occur are currently unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the bioenergetic and cytotoxic effects of MeHg on AC16 and H9C2 cardiomyocyte cell lines. Both cell lines exhibit significantly decreased mitochondrial function, cell viability and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Decreases in maximal respiration and reserve capacity was observed in both cell lines at 1μM. Bioenergetic profile experiments were also performed in tandem with cells exposed to diamide or menadione, compounds which accumulate in mitochondria and disrupt oxidative phosphorylation. AC16 cells show MeHg dose dependant sensitivities with Stateapparent and ATP production values, but H9C2 cells do not show these trends. H9C2 cells may be more resistant to MeHg toxicity than AC16 cells as reflected in the increases of proton leak and Stateapparent. No changes in expression of respiratory complexes were observed. Results suggest that MeHg has the potential to induce cytotoxicity. Furthermore, MeHg may have differential effects on AC16 and H9C2 cells, derived from human and rat cardiac tissue respectively, suggesting that differences in MeHg toxicity may be species-dependent.

Mercury promotes catecholamines which potentiate mercurial autoimmunity and vasodilation: implications for inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate 3-kinase C susceptibility in kawasaki syndrome

Previously, we reviewed biological evidence that mercury could induce autoimmunity and coronary arterial wall relaxation as observed in Kawasaki syndrome (KS) through its effects on calcium signaling, and that inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate 3-kinase C (ITPKC) susceptibility in KS would predispose patients to mercury by increasing Ca²⁺ release. Hg²⁺ sensitizes inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) receptors at low doses, which release Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, resulting in delayed, repetitive calcium influx. ITPKC prevents IP3 from triggering IP3 receptors to release calcium by converting IP3 to inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. Defective IP3 phosphorylation resulting from reduced genetic expressions of ITPKC in KS would promote IP3, which increases Ca²⁺ release. Hg²⁺ increases catecholamine levels through the inhibition of S-adenosylmethionine and subsequently catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), while a single nucleotide polymorphism of the COMT gene (rs769224) was recently found to be significantly associated with the development of coronary artery lesions in KS. Accumulation of norepinephrine or epinephrine would potentiate Hg²⁺-induced calcium influx by increasing IP3 production and increasing the permeability of cardiac sarcolemma to Ca²⁺. Norepinephrine and epinephrine also promote the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide, a potent vasodilator that suppresses the release of vasoconstrictors. Elevated catecholamine levels can induce hypertension and tachycardia, while increased arterial pressure and a rapid heart rate would promote arterial vasodilation and subsequent fatal thromboses, particularly in tandem. Genetic risk factors may explain why only a susceptible subset of children develops KS although mercury exposure from methylmercury in fish or thimerosal in pediatric vaccines is nearly ubiquitous. During the infantile acrodynia epidemic, only 1 in 500 children developed acrodynia whereas mercury exposure was very common due to the use of teething powders. This hypothesis mirrors the leading theory for KS in which a widespread infection only induces KS in susceptible children. Acrodynia can mimic the clinical picture of KS, leading to its inclusion in the differential diagnosis for KS. Catecholamine levels are often elevated in acrodynia and may also play a role in KS. We conclude that KS may be the acute febrile form of acrodynia.

Enhancing effects of salicylate on quinidine-induced block of human wild type and LQT3 related mutant cardiac Na+ channels

It is unknown whether salicylate enhances the action of antiarrhythmic agents on human Na+ channels with state dependency and tissue specificity. We therefore investigated effects of salicylate on quinidine-induced block of human cardiac and skeletal muscle Na+ channels. Human cardiac wild-type (hH1), LQT3-related mutant (ΔKPQ), and skeletal muscle (hSkM1) Na+ channel α subunits were expressed in COS7 cells. Effects of salicylate on quinidine-induced tonic and use-dependent block of Na+ channel currents were examined by the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Salicylate enhanced the quinidine-induced tonic and use-dependent block of both hH1 and hSkM1 currents at a holding potential (HP) of -100 mV but not at -140 mV. Salicylate decreased the IC50 value for the quinidine-induced tonic block of hH1 at an HP of -100 mV, and produced a negative shift in the steady-state inactivation curve of hH1 in the presence of quinidine. According to the modulated receptor theory, it is probable that salicylate decreases the dissociation constant for quinidine binding to inactivated-state channels. Furthermore, salicylate significantly enhanced the quinidine-induced tonic and use-dependent block of the peak and steady-state ΔKPQ channel currents. The results suggest that salicylate enhances quinidine-induced block of Na+ channels via increasing the affinity of quinidine to inactivated state channels.

Hydrogen sulfide is a partially redox-independent activator of the human jejunum Na+ channel, Nav1.5

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is produced endogenously by L-cysteine metabolism. H(2)S modulates several ion channels with an unclear mechanism of action. A possible mechanism is through reduction-oxidation reactions attributable to the redox potential of the sulfur moiety. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of the H(2)S donor NaHS on Na(V)1.5, a voltage-dependent sodium channel expressed in the gastrointestinal tract in human jejunum smooth muscle cells and interstitial cells of Cajal, and to elucidate whether H(2)S acts on Na(V)1.5 by redox reactions. Whole cell Na(+) currents were recorded in freshly dissociated human jejunum circular myocytes and Na(V)1.5-transfected human embryonic kidney-293 cells. RT-PCR amplified mRNA for H(2)S enzymes cystathionine β-synthase and cystathionine γ-lyase from the human jejunum. NaHS increased native Na(+) peak currents and shifted the half-point (V(1/2)) of steady-state activation and inactivation by +21 ± 2 mV and +15 ± 3 mV, respectively. Similar effects were seen on the heterologously expressed Na(V)1.5 α subunit with EC(50)s in the 10(-4) to 10(-3) M range. The reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) mimicked in part the effects of NaHS by increasing peak current and positively shifting steady-state activation. DTT together with NaHS had an additive effect on steady-state activation but not on peak current, suggesting that the latter may be altered via reduction. Pretreatment with the Hg(2+)-conjugated oxidizer thimerosal or the alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide inhibited or decreased NaHS induction of Na(V)1.5 peak current. These studies show that H(2)S activates the gastrointestinal Na(+) channel, and the mechanism of action of H(2)S is partially redox independent.

Mercury as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases

Mercury is a heavy metal that exists naturally in the environment. Major sources include the burning of fossil fuels (especially coal) and municipal waste incineration. Mercury can exist in several forms, with the most hazardous being organic methylmercury. In waterways (lakes, rivers, reservoirs, etc.), mercury is converted to methylmercury, which then accumulates in fish, especially in large predatory fish. Fish and fish products are the major--if not the only--source of methylmercury in humans. Mercury has long been recognized as a neurotoxin for humans, but in the last 10 years, its potentially harmful effects on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have raised a cause for concern, mostly due to the proposed role of mercury in oxidative stress propagation. Some epidemiological studies have indeed found an association between increased levels of mercury in the body and risk of CVD. There are several plausible mechanisms to explain the association; these are discussed in this review. We also review the epidemiological studies that have investigated the association between mercury and CVD.

Selective decrease in paracellular conductance of tight junctions: role of the first extracellular domain of claudin-5

Claudin-5 is a protein component of many endothelial tight junctions, including those at the blood-brain barrier, a barrier that limits molecular exchanges between the central nervous system and the circulatory system. To test the contribution of claudin-5 to this barrier function of tight junctions, we expressed murine claudin-5 in Madin-Darby canine kidney II cells. The result was a fivefold increase in transepithelial resistance in claudin-5 transductants and a reduction in conductance of monovalent cations. However, the paracellular flux of neither neutral nor charged monosaccharides was significantly changed in claudin-5 transductants compared to controls. Therefore, expression of claudin-5 selectively decreased the permeability to ions. Additionally, site-directed mutations of particular amino acid residues in the first extracellular domain of claudin-5 altered the properties of the tight junctions formed in response to claudin-5 expression. In particular, the conserved cysteines were crucial: mutation of either cysteine abolishted the ability of claudin-5 to increase transepithelial resistance, and mutation of Cys(64) strikingly increased the paracellular flux of monosaccharides. These new insights into the functions of claudin-5 at the molecular level in tight junctions may account for some aspects of the blood-brain barrier's selective permeability.

Fish consumption, mercury exposure, and heart diseases

There is increasing concern regarding methylmercury exposure in populations that consume large amounts of fish. This situation poses a dilemma for those who choose to consume fish for its beneficial effects on heart disease risk. Recent evidence suggests that high mercury content in fish may diminish the cardioprotective effect of fish intake. We explore the current knowledge of Hg toxicity on the heart and evaluate the epidemiologic evidence to date.

The time course of silver accumulation in rainbow trout during static exposure to silver nitrate: physiological regulation or an artifact of the exposure conditions?

The pattern of gill silver accumulation in rainbow trout during waterborne silver exposure has been reported to be unusual, reaching a peak in the first few hours of silver exposure followed by a marked decline with continued exposure. The potential causes of the pattern were investigated. Rainbow trout (1-5g) were exposed in a static system to 110mAg labeled AgNO(3) at a total concentration of 1.92microg Agl(-1) for 24h in synthetic soft water. Periodically throughout the exposure, gill and body 110mAg accumulation, gill and body 24Na uptake (from which whole body Na(+) uptake was calculated), gill Na(+)K(+)-ATPase activity, plus water silver (total and dissolved), Cl(-) and total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations were measured. Gill silver levels rapidly increased, peaked at 3h of exposure and then decreased until a plateau was reached at 12h of exposure. Body (minus gills) silver levels increased steadily over the exposure period until 18h of exposure. Whole body Na(+) uptake decreased, was maximally inhibited by 3h of exposure but recovered by 12h despite continued silver exposure. Gill Na(+)K(+)-ATPase activity was not inhibited until 5h of exposure. The water dissolved silver concentration declined by approximately 70% over the 24h exposure period and the TOC content of the water increased over three-fold during the first 2h of exposure. There was a decrease in the calculated contribution of Ag(+) (from 20.9 to 2.5%) and an increase in the calculated contribution of Ag-TOC complexes (from 77 to 97.3%) to the total water silver concentration over the first 2h of exposure. Apical silver uptake into the gills decreased over the initial 2.5h of exposure while basolateral silver export out of the gills to the body remained constant throughout the exposure. The results of this study suggest that: (1) physiological regulation of silver movement may explain the pattern of gill silver accumulation observed in rainbow trout, although not by a mechanism coupled to Na(+)K(+)-ATPase inhibition as originally proposed; (2) alternatively or additionally, a decreased bioavailability of silver, due to the static exposure conditions, may explain the pattern of gill accumulation; (3) the early inhibition of whole body Na(+) uptake observed during silver exposure occurs via a mechanism other than Na(+)K(+)-ATPase inhibition; and (4) gill silver accumulation may be an appropriate endpoint for biotic ligand modeling.

Mercury (Hg2+) suppression of potassium currents of outer hair cells

The heavy metal mercury (Hg(2+)) is an insidious environmental pollutant that causes toxic effects on sensory systems. It is well known that the group IIB divalent cation Hg(2+) is an inhibitor of the group I monovalent potassium (K(+)) cation pore-forming channel in several biological preparations. Here, we used the whole cell patch clamp technique on freshly isolated outer hair cells (OHCs) of the guinea pig cochlea to record outward K(+) currents and inward K(+) currents treated with mercuric chloride (HgCl(2)). HgCl(2) affected K(+) currents in a voltage- and dose-dependent manner. The effects of HgCl(2) at 1.0-100 microM are more pronounced on onset peak current than on steady-state end current. HgCl(2) depolarized also the resting membrane potential. Although the effect of HgCl(2) at 1.0 microM was partially washed out over several minutes, the effects at 10 and 100 microM were irreversible to washout. Since K(+) channels of OHCs are targets for HgCl(2) ototoxicity, this may lead to auditory transduction problems, including a loss in hearing sensitivity. A better understanding of fundamental mechanisms underlying K(+) channelopathies in OHCs due to HgCl(2) poisoning may lead to better preventive or therapeutic agents.

L-cysteine prevents oxidation-induced block of the cardiac Na+ channel via interaction with heart-specific cysteinyl residues in the P-loop region

The present study investigated the protective effects of L-cysteine on the oxidation-induced blockade of Na+ channel a-subunits, hH1 (cardiac) and hSkM1 (skeletal), expressed in COS7 cells. Na+ currents were recorded by the whole-cell patch clamp technique (n = 3-7). L-cysteine alone blocked hH1 and hSkM1 in a dose-dependent manner, with saturating L-cysteine block at 3,000 micromol/L. Hg2+, a potent sulfhydryl oxidizing agent, blocked hH1 with a time to 50% inhibition (Time50%) of 20s. Preperfusion of COS7 cells with 100 micromol/L L-cysteine significantly slowed the Hg2+ block of hH1 (Time50% = 179 s). L-cysteine did not prevent Hg2+ block of hSkM1 (Time50% = 37s) or the C373Y hH1 mutant (Time50% = 43s). As for other sulfo-amino acids, homocysteine prevented the Hg2+ block of hH1, with the Time50% (70s) being significantly smaller than that of L-cysteine, whereas methionine did not prevent the Hg2+ block of hH1. L-cysteine did not prevent the Cd2+ block of hH1. These results indicate that L-cysteine selectively acts on heart-specific Cys373 in the P-loop region of hH1 to prevent Cys373 from the oxidation-induced sulfur-Hg-sulfur bridge formation.

Modulation of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by mercury

Mercuric chloride exerted a biphasic modulatory effect on rat neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes as heteromers of the alpha3 or alpha4 and beta2 or beta4 subunits. The degree of modulation was subunit-dependent, with beta4-containing receptors displaying greater potentiation and alpha4-containing receptors displaying greater inhibition. Thus, alpha4beta4 receptors displayed both robust potentiation and robust inhibition. During prolonged coapplication of HgCl(2), first potentiation then inhibition of the acetylcholine (ACh) response was observed. Upon coapplication of 1 microM HgCl(2), a 2-fold increase in ACh-induced current was achieved in 55 +/- 1 s. With continued HgCl(2) application, the ACh response was slowly inhibited until, after 5 min, less than 10% of the initial response remained. By measuring potentiation at its peak and inhibition 5 min after the start of HgCl(2) coapplication, we obtained EC(50) and IC(50) values of 262 +/- 75 and 430 +/- 72 nM, respectively. HgCl(2) potentiation was voltage-dependent, increasing at more positive holding potentials. Upon washout of mercury chloride, potentiation reversed with a t(1/2) of 4.6 min. Inhibition reversed more slowly, with less than half the initial response recovered after 15 min of wash. Although free cysteine residues are common targets for mercury, elimination of all free cysteines located in the extracellular domains of the alpha4 and beta4 subunits did not alter the effects of mercuric chloride. Potentiation and inhibition of neuronal nAChRs may occur through action at a transmembrane or cytoplasmic location after passive diffusion of mercuric chloride across the plasma membrane.

Mercury interaction with the GABA(A) receptor modulates the benzodiazepine binding site in primary cultures of mouse cerebellar granule cells

Mercury compounds are neurotoxic compounds with a great specificity for cerebellar granule cells. The interaction of mercury compounds with proteins in the central nervous system may underlie some of their effects on neurotransmission. In this work we study the interaction of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) and methylmercury (MeHg) with the GABA(A) receptor in primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells. Both compounds increased, dose dependently, the binding of [3H]flunitrazepam to the benzodiazepine recognition site. EC50 values for this effect were 3.56 and 15.24 microM for HgCl2 and MeHg, respectively, after 30 min exposure of intact cultured cerebellar granule cells. The increase of [3H]flunitrazepam binding by mercury compounds was completely inhibited by the GABA(A) receptor antagonists bicuculline and picrotoxinin, and by the organochlorine pesticide alpha-endosulfan. It was also partially inhibited by the anion transporter blocker DIDS, however this effect could be due to a possible chelation of mercury by DIDS. Intracellular events, like intracellular calcium, kinase activation/inactivation or antioxidant conditions did not affect [3H]flunitrazepam binding or its increase induced by mercury compounds. The sulfhydryl alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide mimicked the effect of mercury compounds on [3H]flunitrazepam binding suggesting a common mechanism. We conclude that mercury compounds interact with the GABA(A) receptor by the way of alkylation of SH groups of cysteinyl residues found in GABA(A) receptor subunit sequences.