The effect of cryogenic storage on human erythrocyte membrane proteins as determined by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis.
A study was conducted to determine the effects of freezing on the major membrane proteins of isolated human erythrocyte membranes. Membranes in low or normal ionic strength medium were frozen at slow or fast freezing rates. The membrane protein composition and elution of proteins from the membranes were studied utilizing polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in a sodium dodecyl sulfate or an acetic acid-urea-phenol solvent system. Neither a change in the composition of the membrane proteins nor any elution of membrane protein during freezing and thawing was observed. The data indicate that any human erythrocyte membrane damage during freezing and thawing was not related to a change in major membrane protein composition. Human red cell membranes were stable at --80 or --196degreesC in the absence of a cryoprotective agent.
D001793:Blood Preservation; D001798:Blood Proteins; D002462:Cell Membrane; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004912:Erythrocytes; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans
D001798:Blood Proteins