Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Behavioral Assays for Optogenetic Manipulation of Neural Circuits in Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: February 7, 2025
Methylmercury and diphenyl diselenide interactions in Drosophila melanogaster: effects on development, behavior, and
Mayara B Leão1, Paulo C C da Rosa1, Caroline Wagner1
1Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus Caçapava do Sul, Caçapava do Sul, RS, 96570-000, Brazil.
Abstract:
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a highly toxic environmental pollutant which binds with a high affinity to selenol groups. In view of this, seleno-compounds have been investigated as MeHg antidotes. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of the co-exposure to MeHg and the seleno-compound diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)2 on Drosophila melanogaster. We measured the survival rate, developmental survival, locomotor ability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and Hg levels in D. melanogaster exposed to MeHg and/or (PhSe)2 in the food. Exposure to MeHg caused a reduction in the survival rate, developmental survival, and locomotion in D. melanogaster. In addition, MeHg increased the ROS production and mercury levels in flies. The co-exposure to MeHg and (PhSe)2 did not prevent the toxic effects of MeHg in D. melanogaster. On the contrary, the co-exposure enhanced the toxic effects on the locomotor ability and developmental survival. This effect may be explained by the fact that the co-exposure increased the Hg levels in body when compared to flies exposed only to MeHg, suggesting that MeHg and (PhSe)2 interaction may increase Hg body burden in D. melanogaster which could contribute for the increased toxicity observed in the co-exposure.
Related Concept Videos
What is Behavior?
Levels of Organization
Molecules Are Composed of Atoms, and Biomolecules Are Assembled from Molecules:
The most basic levels include atoms, molecules, and biomolecules. Atoms, the smallest unit of ordinary matter, are composed of a nucleus and electrons. Molecules...
Leveling Effect
High-Level and Low-Level Awareness
Fermi Level
At absolute zero temperature, electrons fill all energy states up to the Fermi level, leaving upper states empty. As the temperature rises,...
Sustainable Development

