The uptake and intracellular distribution of haem by isolated rat hepatocyte suspensions was studied. An increase in cell haem content occurred after a challenge with 5, 10 or 20 μM haem, supplied as methaemalbumin. The rate of haem uptake was temperature dependent; no non-specific binding occurred. Intracellular haem distribution data are consistent with a rapid association of haem with the endoplasmic reticulum fraction prior to its accumulation in the cytosol and at the mitochondrion.

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