Methyl mercury binding substances from the brain of experimentally exposed squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)

Squirrel monkeys were given a single subtoxic dose of 203Hg-labelled methyl mercuric hydroxide. After three weeks the brains were dissected out, homogenized and separated into particulate and soluble fractions by ultracentrifugation. The soluble fractions were further separated into high molecular weight and low molecular weight components by ultrafiltration. The major part (75%) of the radioactivity was associated with the particulate fraction while high molecular weight compounds in the soluble fraction accounted for 16%. The remainder (9%) was bound to glutathione.