Methylmercury precipitates heart failure by increasing Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission
(PHYSorg.com Medicine & Health)

Researchers from the National Institute for Physiological Sciences revealed the molecular mechanism underlying increased risk of heart failure during hemodynamic load by methylmercury exposure. They found that exposure of mice to extremely low-dose methylmercury increases cardiac fragility after pressure overload through Drp1-mediated mitochondrial hyperfission in mice. They also found that depolysulfidation of Drp1 protein by methymercury triggers association of Drp1 with filamin-A leading to activation of Drp1-mediated mitochondrial hyperfission in mouse cardiomyocytes.