X-ray microanalysis of HeLa S3 cells. II. Analysis of elemental levels during the cell cycle

HeLa S3 cells were synchronized using hydroxyurea. Cryoultramicrotomy and X-ray microanalysis were used to study changes occurring in concentrations of elements during the cell cycle of the synchronized cells. Three subcellular compartments were studied: cytoplasm, nucleus and nucleolus. Potassium concentrations showed little fluctuation in all of the cell compartments during the cell cycle. Sodium concentrations increased during S. and M phases, returning to lower levels in the G1 phase. Chlorine concentrations were highest during the S and G2 phases. At all stages of the cell cycle respective concentrations of potassium, sodium, sulphur and chlorine were similar in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Concentrations of phosphorus increased in the nucleus during S, G2 and M, and also showed fluctuations in the nucleolus during the cycle; these were not seen in the cytoplasm. In S, M and M/G1 sodium concentrations were highest in the nucleolus compared with the other compartments. In the cytoplasm these changes resulted in an increase in total monovalent cation concentration (i.e. sodium + potassium) during S, G2 and M, which returned to base levels after mitosis. This increase in monovalent cation concentration is due almost entirely to the increase in sodium, with little change occurring in the concentration of potassium.