title: Calcium ions and cell fusion. Effects of chemical fusogens on the permeability of erythrocytes to calcium and other ions.
abstract: 1. Fusogenic and non-fusogenic chemicals were tesetd for their ability to allow 45Ca2+ and 3H2O to enter hen and human erythrocytes. 2. The ratio of 45Ca2+/3H2O in treated cells to that in untreated cells is referred to as the entry ratio. 3. Within 1 min at 37 degrees C both water-soluble and lipid-soluble fusogens increased the value of the entry ratio, which reached maximum values in 5--10 min. 4. Values of the entry ratio in the range of 4--12 were found under conditions that led to cell fusion. 5. Closely related but non-fusogenic chemicals did not significantly alter the entry ratio. 6. The entry ratios for 86Rb+, 22Na+ and 35SO42- were also significantly increased by both lipid-soluble and water-soluble fusogens, though the increases were not as large as those for 45Ca2+. 7. It is suggested that fusogenic compounds increase the permeability of biological membranes to ions, and that an increase in the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ initiates or facilitates events that lead to the chemically induced fusion of erythrocytes.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D002459:Cell Fusion / Q000187:drug effects*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D002645:Chickens; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008055:Lipids / Q000494:pharmacology; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D012413:Rubidium / Q000097:blood; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D013431:Sulfates / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D013431:Sulfates; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012964:Sodium; D012413:Rubidium; D002118:Calcium; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide