Tubulin in Rat Brain: Similarity to a Molecular Lesion in Alzheimer Diseased Brain.

Author: Pendergrass JC, Haley BE, Vimy MJ.

Source: Neurotoxicology

Year: 1997

Comment:

The researchers state, "We conclude that in vivo exposure to Hg0  alters a specific neurochemical process at the nucleotide level, which is involved in maintaining brain neuron structure. Chronic low-level Hg0 exposure markedly inhibits the binding of GTP to brain beta-tubulin, an essential step in the formation of microtubules."

Abstract / Excerpt:

“Total tubulin protein levels remained relatively unchanged between Hg0 exposed rat brains and controls, and between Alzheimer brains and controls. Since the rate of tubulin polymerization is dependent upon binding of GTP to tubulin dimers, we conclude that chronic inhalation of low-level Hg0 can inhibit polymerization of brain tubulin essential for formation of microtubules.”

Citation:

Pendergrass JC, Haley BE, Vimy MJ. Tubulin in rat brain: similarity to a molecular lesion in Alzheimer diseased brain. Neurotoxicology. 1997; 18(2): 315-324.