The activity of one of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2a kinases, heme-regulated inhibitor (HRI), is modulated by heme binding. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that Hg 2+ strongly inhibits the function of HRI (IC 50 = 0.6 lM), and nitric oxide fully reverses this inhibition. Other divalent metal cations, such as Fe 2+ , Cu 2+ , Cd 2+ , Zn 2+ and Pb 2+ , also significantly inhibit kinase activity with IC 50 values of 1.9-8.5 lM. Notably, inhibition by cations other than Hg 2+ is not reversed by nitric oxide. Our present data support dual roles of Hg 2+ and nitric oxide in the regulation of protein synthesis during cell emergency states.