Changes in fatty acid elongation in developing mouse brain by mercury--comparison with other metals

Hg2+ dramatically altered microsomal synthesis of very long chain fatty acids specific for myelin in mouse brain, as measured by lengthening of behenyl-CoA by means of malonyl-CoA in vitro. This alteration was found with Cu2+, but not with various other metal ions, showing that changes in fatty acid synthesis could be due to the alteration of sulphydryl groups.