title: Two individuals with elliptocytic red cells apparently lack three minor erythrocyte membrane sialoglycoproteins.
abstract: We have studied the erythrocytes of two individuals (P. L. and K. W.) who lack the Gerbich (Ge) blood-group antigen. The erythrocytes of P. L. and K. W. were not reactive with two monoclonal antibodies (NBTS/BRIC 4 and NBTS/BRIC 10) which reacted with normal erythrocytes. The membranes of P. L. and K. W. erythrocytes appeared to lack three minor sialoglycoproteins (beta, beta 1 and gamma). These three minor sialoglycoproteins were found to be associated with the cytoskeletons of normal erythrocytes. Approx. 10% of the erythrocytes of P. L. and K. W. were frankly elliptocytic. We suggest that one or more of the minor sialoglycoproteins may play a part in maintaining the discoid shape of the human erythrocyte.
mesh_terms: D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000032:analysis; D004913:Erythrocytes, Abnormal / Q000032:analysis* / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins