Biomolecule-mercury interactions: Modalities of DNA base-mercury binding mechanisms. Remediation strategies

An overview of the various modes of mercury interaction with DNA bases and other biologically important molecules is given. In each case, an attempt is made to identify the binding sites of the substrates of interest. The relevance of competition and exchange reactions between Hg11/CH3Hg11 and nucleobases to the mechanism of DNA binding with mercury are explored. This review not only highlights recent work on mercury detoxification strategies, but also encompasses anthropogenic and nature-based methods. The necessity for exploring chemical mimics of nature in addressing the issues of environmental remediation of mercury pollution and mercury intoxication in humans is emphasized.