2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid influx is mediated by an active transport system in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

The influx of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells was studied. The cells mainly took up but did not metabolize the undissociated form of the herbicide. The uptake of 2,4-D was carried out against a concentration gradient and was inhibited by sodium azide and dinitrophenol. The results presented here show that the herbicide influx was an active, energy dependent process. (Na+ + K+)ATPase does not seem to be involved because ouabain, an inhibitor of the enzyme, did not affect the 2,4-D uptake.