Translational mobility of the membrane intercalated particles of human erythrocyte ghosts. pH-dependent, reversible aggregation.
This paper demonstrates the translational movement along the plane of the human erythrocyte ghost of the membrane particles exposed by freeze-fracture. The membrane particles can be aggregated by incubation of the ghosts in media with a pH in the vicinity of 5 5 or 3 5. The particles are disaggregated in neutral and alkaline media (pH 9 5) and also at pH 4.5 Aggregation of the particles at pH 5.5 is reversible, prevented by prefixation in glutaraldehyde and by media of high ionic strength. Particle aggregation occurs within 2-4 min. These results are consistent with the concept that the erythrocyte ghost membrane is a planar fluid domain formed by a bilayer membrane continuum which is interrupted by localized, yet mobile, proteic intercalations.
D002449:Cell Aggregation; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D005613:Freeze Etching; D005977:Glutarates / Q000494:pharmacology; D006652:Histological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007477:Ions / Q000494:pharmacology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008954:Models, Biological; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D005977:Glutarates; D007477:Ions