Conversion of methylmercury into inorganic mercury via organomercurial lyase (MerB) activates autophagy and aggresome formation.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is converted to inorganic mercury (iHg) in several organs; however, its impact on tissues and cells remains poorly understood. Previously, we established a bacterial organomercury lyase (MerB)-expressing mammalian cell line to overcome the low cell permeability of iHg and investigate its effects. Here, we elucidated the cytotoxic effects of the resultant iHg on autophagy and deciphered their relationship.