Zinc Transport in Normal Human Leucocytes: Dependence upon Media Composition

1. The transport of zinc has been studied in normal human leucocytes incubated in both a tissue culture medium and Krebs buffer. 2. 65Zn influx is characterized by an initial rapid phase followed by a slower influx. 65Zn influx is directly dependent upon the extracellular zinc concentration. 3. Net zinc influx could only be demonstrated in Krebs buffer at zinc concentrations in excess of 4.3 μmol/l and in tissue culture fluid at zinc concentrations in excess of 43.1 μmol/l. 4. A 65Zn efflux rate constant of approximately 1.0 per h was observed in both 4.3 and 15.4 μmol of zinc/l of Krebs buffer or tissue culture fluid. 5. In a zero external zinc Krebs buffer the 65Zn efflux rate constant fell to 0.57 per h and was accompanied by a small net zinc efflux.