Copper Metabolism of Cultured Fibroblasts from the Brindled Mouse (Gene Symbol Mo br ) 1

Abstract

Abstract

The metabolism of copper by cultured fibroblasts from brindled male (Mo ^br/Y) and normal male (+/Y) mice was studied using radioactive copper (⁶⁴Cu). Brindled fibroblasts accumulated more ⁶⁴Cu than normal fibroblasts. The accumulation of ⁶⁴Cu by both brindled and normal fibroblasts was enhanced if the cells were preincubated in a copper-supplemented medium or if fetal calf serum was omitted from the medium. Brindled fibroblasts also retained more ⁶⁴Cu on continued incubation. The greater accumulation might, therefore, represent an effect of reduced copper efflux. The demonstrated expression of the inherited defect in copper metabolism of brindled mice in cultured fibroblasts emphasizes the value of this model for further study of copper metabolism and its genetic control.