A new proposal regarding the transport mechanism of mercury in biological membranes

The interactions of mercury (Hg2+) with biological membranes have been investigated. The experimental results indicate that Hg2+ induces a rapid alkalinization in energized Lysosomes from rat liver. The interpretation of the process is that the mercury enters the Lysosomes as a Hg(OH)2 electroneutral compound, thus inducing alkalinization in the matrix.