Molecular mechanism of neuronal cell death induced by methyl mercury via endoplasmic reticulum stress

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We found that methyl mercury results in neuronal cell death and the reduction of S-nitrosylated PDI formation in a concentration-dependent manner in SH-SY5Y cells. These observations suggested methyl mercury affects same cysteine residue that is oxidized by nitric oxide. Treatment with methyl mercury stimulated the specific splicing of XBP1 mRNA and phosphorylation of IRE1α. Thus, methyl mercury might induce apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum stress caused by dysfunction of protein maturation system.