Interaction of mercury(II) with the microtubule cytoskeleton in IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells

On the background of the neurotoxicity of mercury compounds, the interaction of mercury(II) with the cytoskeleton was investigated in vitro using IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells. Conditions for culture of these cells on microscopic slides and procedures for immunofluorescence staining of the microtubule network were optimised. Both morphology and viability of IMR-32 cells were affected by mercury(II) at concentrations higher than 15 muM. Pronounced disintegration of the microtubule cytoskeleton was detected at 30 RM mercury(II). Compared to previous studies with fibroblasts, the no-observed-effect concentration was markedly lower, pointing to a particular sensitivity of nerve cells to mercury. This could be due to disturbed information transfer processes depending on an intact microtubule system. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.