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Updated: May 29, 2026

An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
Published on: December 17, 2018
Detoxification of methylmercury by hydrogen sulfide-producing enzyme in Mammalian cells
Eiko Yoshida1, Takashi Toyama, Yasuhiro Shinkai
1Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Abstract:
Methylmercury (MeHg) covalently modifies cellular proteins through their SH groups, resulting in cytotoxicity. We report that cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), which catalyzes the production of hydrogen sulfide, contributes to cellular protection against MeHg. Pretreatment with NaHS or overexpression of CBS reduced MeHg cytotoxicity, whereas transfection with CBS small interfering RNA enhanced MeHg toxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Bismethylmercury sulfide ((MeHg)(2)S) was identified as a metabolite of MeHg in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to MeHg and in the livers of rats treated with MeHg. (MeHg)(2)S had little chemical protein modification capability and little cytotoxicity compared with MeHg in vitro and in vivo.
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