Effect of methylmercury and inorganic mercury on the nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth in chick embryonic sensory ganglia.

Methylmercury inhibited the fiber outgrowth in chick embryonic sensory ganglia in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF) by 50% at 2 x 10(-6) M and completely depressed it at 5 x 10(-6) M. Whereas inorganic mercury completely inhibited the fiber outgrowth at 10(-4) M. The possible role of microtubules is discussed.