Selenoneine Protection Against Methylmercury Toxicity: A Potential Benefit of Beluga Maktaaq consumption for Inuit health

The purpose of this project is to better understand the interaction between mercury and selenium among Nunavimmiut. This will be achieved in the framework of the Qanuilirpitaa Nunavik Inuit Health Survey, which comprises an adult cohort of adults - 31 years and older - and youths between 16 and 30 years of age (1329 participants). In addition to experimental laboratory work using erythroid cell lines and zebrafish embryos, the impact of methylmercury (MeHg) and selenoneine on red blood cells (RBCs) collected from Qanuilirpitaa participants will be assessed. We will examine possible deleterious effects of MeHg (and protection afforded by selenoneine) on RBC senescence and function (i.e. capacity to transport oxygen). The nature of the molecular interaction between MeHg and selenoneine in RBCs will be evaluated using x-ray spectroscopy techniques. We hope to improve our understanding the MeHg-selenoneine interaction in this population as it is key to food security in the Arctic.