Changes in protein and RNA synthesis in rat brain neurons after a single dose of methylmercury.

Methylmercury was given to 30-day-old Wistar rats, At 1-7 days later the protein and RNA synthesis was studied in vivo by injecting a mixture [14C]leucine and [3H]uridine. Protein and RNA were precipitated from isolated cerebral and cerebellar neurons. The reduction of RNA synthesis coincides or precedes the reduced protein synthesis.