Toxicity induced by Hg2+ on choline acetyltransferase activity from E. electricus (L.) electrocytes: the protective effect of 2,3 dimercapto-propanol (BAL).

Background: The effect of mercury (Hg(2+)) on the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) from electrocytes of Electrophorus electricus (L.) was studied due to the importance of this enzyme and acetylcholine in many neurochemical functions such as arousal, learning, and memory.

Material/methods: Mercury, which has affinity to thiol groups, acted as a potent inhibitor of ChAT, which was obtained by differential centrifugation and ammonium sulfate precipitation, at 80%, from the main electric organ homogenate.