[Changes in the protein-synthesizing system of a HeLa cell culture exposed to a number of trace elements]

The authors investigated the cytopathic action of maximal allowable concentrations (MAC) of zinc, nickel, cobalt, cadmium and fluorine on cell culture. The most significant changes in RNA synthesis were noticed after exposure to zinc MAC. After exposure to the MAC of zinc, nickel and fluorine considerable modifications of protein synthesis were recorded. It was established that the content of rRNA increased after incubation with all trace elements under study for 24 hours. The amount of protein experienced significant changes after nickel introduction into the incubation medium. It is concluded that exposure to some of trace elements entails considerable changes in cell metabolism.