Only solid red blood cell ghosts transport K+, and Na+ against concentration gradients: hollow intact ghosts with K+-Na+ activated ATPase do not.
Human red blood cell ghosts, prepared by simple hypotonic lysis are filled with cytoplasmic proteins. These solid ghosts can transport K+ and Na+ against concentration gradients in the presence of ATP. In hollow red cell ghosts prepared by repeated hypotonic lysis followed by high salt wash, this ability to transport K+ and Na+ in the presence of ATP is lost even though these hollow ghost membranes remain intact and are equipped with Na+-K+ activated ATPase.
D000328:Adult; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D002458:Cell Fractionation / Q000379:methods*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood*; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood*; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000097:blood*
D012964:Sodium; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D011188:Potassium