Evidences for a role of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) in methylmercury induced neurotoxicity in vivo

• DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2012.07.013
• Publication Date: 2012-08-03T12:16:03Z
• Authors: A.P.P. Zemolin; D.F. Meinerz; M.T. de Paula; D.O.C. Mariano; J.B.T. Rocha; A.B. Pereira; T. Posser; J.L. Franco
• Keywords: Neurotoxicity; GPX1; Glutathione reductase; GPX4

We evaluated the activity and expression of antioxidant enzymes in cerebellum cortex Swiss adult male mice exposed to methylmercury (MeHg) drinking water (40mg/L) during 21 days. The glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reductase (GR), S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) thioredoxin (TrxR) were determined spectrophotometrically. (protein levels) GPx1 GPx4 isoforms, TrxR1 as well heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) using specific antibodies normalized by actin levels. exposure MeHg caused a significant impairment locomotors performance open field test (crossings rearing). This result was followed reduction GPx TrxR activities when compared untreated animals. also observed substantial decrease GPx1, levels cerebellum, while cerebral cortex, only decreased after treatment. GR, GST, CAT SOD increased administration mice. In contrast, MeHg-treated HSP70 up-regulated where MeHg-exposed showed increase immunocontent controls. is first report showing role for neurotoxicity induced vivo. addition, our data indicates that selenoproteins main targets exposure, which may be considered biomarker studies.