Interakcije Hg in Cd z lipoproteini, liposomskimi membranami, selenom in metalotioneini (Slovene)

Cadmium and mercury ions can act as neurotoxins and are probably involved in the pathogenesis of some brain dysfunctions like Alzheimer''s disease and age senility. The investigation will be focused on interactions of inorganic mercury with biological macromolecules (lipoproteins, liposomes) with respect to the induced changes in their structural organization and the involvement of mercury in lipid peroxidation. In human tissue samples (thyroid, brain tissues) with elevated levels of toxic trace elements (Hg, Cd) the study will be concentrate on the cellular distribution of these elements, their binding to low molecular weight protective proteins, i.e. metallothioneins and selenium coaccumulation.