Cellular uptake and biotransformation of arsenic V in transformed human cell lines HeLa S(3) and Hep G(2).

The biotransformation of arsenate was studied in two human transformed cell lines (epithelial HeLa S(3) and hepatoma Hep G(2) cells) by the determination of several arsenic species both in the culture medium and in the cells. Arsenate reduction, which was observed in the two cell lines, was higher in Hep G(2) cells. Methylation appeared to be a minor pathway for HeLa cells, but was more important in the hepatoma cells.