Vacuolar accumulation of heavy metals in Datura cultured cells is metal concentration dependent

Vacuolar-extravacuolar compartmentation studies were performed to determine if the vacuole serves as an accumulation site for Cd, Zn, and Ni, after growth of Datura cultured cells in trace and high levels of these metals. After 3 to 4 days growth with 0.12 ..mu..M Cd or 0.02 ..mu..M Ni (radiolabeled) no evidence was obtained for vacuolar accumulation of these metals. In contrast, growth with 30 or 45 ..mu..M Cd, 11 ..mu..M Ni (with or without trace radiolabel), or 300 and 500 ..mu..M Zn resulted in isolated vacuoles which were enriched in metal. Compartmentation after exposure to low levels of Zn and also Cu is being investigated as is the subcellular site(s) of Cd-binding peptide formed during growth in high Cd. The hypothesis that Zn is accumulated as vacuolar organic acid salts is being tested directly because no evidence was found for formation of substantial ligand of Cd-peptide in response to Zn exposure.