The equilibria and kinetics for the process of In3+ exchange between nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and bovine serum transferrin (T) have been investigated in aqueous solution containing sodium bicarbonate. The metal exchange equilibria have been measured by difference ultraviolet spectroscopy at 25 degrees C, pH = 7.4, and I = 0.2 M (NaClO4). The acid dissociation constants of NTA and the binding constants of In(III) to NTA have also been measured. Kinetic experiments revealed that the process of In3+ uptake by transferrin from [In(NTA)(2)](3-) is biphasic, the fast phase being completed in a few seconds, the slow phase lasting for hours. The fast phase has been investigated by the stopped-flow method and results in monoexponential kinetics. It involves rapid interaction of the 1: 1 complex ML (M = In, L = NTA) with TB (T = transferrin, B = CO32-) to give a quaternary intermediate MLTB which then evolves to an "open" MTB* ternary complex complex with expulsion of L. In turn, this complex interconverts to a "closed", more stable, form MTB. Neither the prevailing complex M2L nor the TB2 form of transferrin are directly involved in the exchange process but act as metal and protein reservoirs. The pH dependence of the reaction has been also investigated. The slow phase has not been investigated in detail; it takes several hours to go to the completeness, its slowness being ascribed to metal redistribution between the C-site and N-site of the protein, and/or metal release from polynuclear In(III) species.