Selenium's Pivotal Role in Molecular Mechanisms of Mercury Toxicity

摘要

@@ Introduction Selenium (Sc) is an essential trace element that is required for the biochemical activities of enzymes (selenoenzymes) with also important roles in the brain (Chen and Berry, 2003) and endocrine system (Kohrle et al., 2005). Other than gene deletion, the only challenge known to severely impair brain selenoenzyme activities are high methylmercury (MeHg) exposures occurring in utero (Watanabe et al., 1999; Stringari et al., 2008).