Mercuric chloride-induced inhibition of different ATPases in the intestine of mudskipper, Boleophthalmus dentatus.

This paper deals with the toxicity of mercuric chloride to different ATPases in the intestine of mudskipper (Boleophthalmus dentatus). Mudskippers were exposed to four sublethal concentrations of mercuric chloride for three durations. The specific activities of Na+, K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase, Mg(2+)-ATPase, Ca2+, HCO3(-)-ATPase, and Mg2+, HCO3(-)-ATPase were estimated. There was linear inhibition of all the enzymes with increasing mercuric chloride concentration as well as exposure duration. The Na+,K(+)-ATPase was found to be the enzyme most affected, followed by other ion-dependent ATPases. Inhibition of all the enzymes indicates severe damage to the intestinal cells, resulting in a blockage of the transport of substances across the membrane.