Movement of mercury in rat submaxillary slices

The movement of 203Hg2+ (as HgCl2) was studied in slices of rat submaxillary gland. A steady-state distribution was reached within 60 min. N2 or metabolic inhibitors (2,4-DNP, NaCN, NaF or ouabain) failed to decrease tissue uptake. Increasing the concentration of Hg2+ produced a corresponding increase in tissue metal. Decreasing the incubation temperature decreased uptake. Cd2+ and Fe2+ decreased uptake by Zn2+, Cu2+, and Fe2+ were without effect. Efflux experiments indicated a firm binding of Hg2+. The data suggest a passive uptake for hg2+ with unsaturable, temperature-sensitive binding sites in the interior of the cell.