Abstract
1. The subcellular distribution of Zn, Cd, Cu and Hg in liver and kidney from a narwhal was determined by ultracentrifugation and gel filtration. 2. Most of the total mercury in the liver and kidney was bound by the cellular pellet (88 and 73%, respectively). Of the total mercury, 7 and 11% was in the form of methylmercury in the liver and kidney, respectively. 3. More than half (74%) of the total Zn and Cu in the kidney was in the cytosol and somewhat less than this was in the cytosol of the liver. 4. Almost all of the cadmium in liver and kidney (88 and 92%, respectively) was in the cytosol. 5. Cytosolic fractions from liver and kidney were evaluated for the presence of metallothionein by analysing for Zn, Cd, Hg, Cu, Fe and —SH groups, by molecular weight estimation and by u.v. absorption spectra. Metallothionein was found in these organs in estimated concentrations similar to those present in terrestrial and other marine mammals.
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