Uptake of (63)Ni(2+) from its Complexes with Proteins and other Ligands by Mouse Dermal Fibroblasts in vitro

A study has been made of the uptake of (63)Ni(2+) from its complexes with serum proteins and with the small molecules from a sterile autolysate of rat muscle by cells of the C57S/IP line of mouse dermal fibroblasts in vitro. Nickel from these complexes is incorporated intracellularly, the distribution being independent of the nature of the carrier. The cation is associated with all subcellular fractions, the largest amount being bound by the nuclei and the least by the microsomes. About half of the (63)Ni(2+) incorporated into the nuclei is located in the nucleoli.