Bragadin Marcantonio*, Perin Guido, Giacometti Andrea Gallo Michele, Bottos Daniela and Manente Sabrina
Abstract
The addition of small amounts of Cd++ to lysosomes induces a rapid alkalinization in the matrix. The various possible reasons for this process have been analysed and it has been concluded that Cd++ enters the matrix as an electroneutral Cd(OH), compound. As the lysosomal bilayer of the membrane has the same composition as the cell membrane, this mechanism could explain the means of entry of Cd++ into the cell, without postulating the utilization of a physiological carrier.