Studies on the Ni-content of the centriole

Nickel-containing organelles or subcellular structures have not yet been described in the literature; only some Ni-containing enzymes or "factors" acting at the cellular level have been studied. In the present study the nickel-content of centrioles and basal bodies were detected by using a new histochemical method. The centrioles and basal bodies are able to take up nickel. Evidence has also been presented that low concentrations of Ni (10(-5) M) enhance the growth rate of Tetrahymena.