ISSN:
1573-4935
Keywords:
Transmembrane Ca2+ gradient
;
anion transport activity
;
Band 3
;
freeze-fracture
;
resealed erythrocyte ghosts
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract The role of a transmembrane Ca2+ gradient in anion transport by Band 3 of human resealed erythrocyte ghosts has been studied. The results show that a transmembrane Ca2+ gradient is essential for the conformation of erythrocyte Band 3 with higher anion transport activity. The dissipation of the transmembrane Ca2+ gradient by the ionophore A23187 inhibits the anion transport activity. The extent of this inhibition approaches 90% as the Ca2+ concentration on both sides of the ghost membrane is increased to 1.0 mM and half-maximum inhibition is observed at 0.25 mM Ca2+. Addition of ATP (0.4 mM) to the resealing medium can partly reestablish the transmembrane Ca2+ gradient by activation of Ca2+-ATPase and alleviate the inhibition to some extent. N-ethylmaleimide, an inhibitor of erythrocyte Ca2+-ATPase, prevents such restoration. Electron micrographs reveal that numerous larger intramembranous particles can be observed on the P-faces of freeze-fractured resealed ghosts in the absence of a transmembrane Ca2+ gradient.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01855014
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