Mercury chloride alters heterochromatin domain organization and nucleolar activity in mouse liver

• DOI: 10.1007/s00418-022-02151-8
• Publication Date: 2022-09-22T11:03:58Z
• Authors: Lorena Zannino; Andrea Pagano; Claudio Casali; Monica Oldani; Alma Balestrazzi; Marco Biggiogera
• Keywords: Mercury; Developmental Biology

Mercury is a highly toxic element that induces severe alterations and broad range of adverse effects on health. Its exposure global concern because it widespread in the environment due to its multiple industrial, domestic, agricultural medical usages. Among various chemical forms, both humans animals are mainly exposed mercury chloride (HgCl2), methylmercury elemental mercury. HgCl2 metabolized primarily liver. We analysed nuclear architecture an increasing dosage mouse hepatocytes cell culture liver, focusing specifically organization, some epigenetic features heterochromatin domains nucleolar morphology activity. Through combination molecular imaging approaches at optical electron microscopy, we show modifications decrease histones post-translational associated heterochromatin. This accompanied by increase activity which reflected bigger nucleoli. hypothesized decondensation activation following could be functional express proteins necessary counteract harmful stimulus reach new equilibrium.