Temperature transitions of protein properties in human red blood cells.
Human red blood cells (RBC) undergo a sudden change from blocking to passing through 1.3 +/- 0.2-micrometer micropipettes at a transition temperature (Tc) of 36.4 degrees C. For resealed RBC ghosts this transition occurs at 28.3 degrees C (Tg). These findings are attributed to an elastomeric transition of hemoglobin from being gel-like to a fluid and to an elastomeric transition of membrane proteins such as spectrin. Spectrin shows a uniform distribution along the aspirated RBC tongue above Tg in contrast to the linear gradient below Tg.
Artmann
G M
GM
Department of Cell Biophysics, Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Ginsterweg 1, D-52428 Jülich, Germany. artmann@fh-aachen.de
Kelemen
C
C
Porst
D
D
Büldt
G
G
Chien
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S
D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D004548:Elasticity; D004907:Erythrocyte Deformability / Q000502:physiology*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D005782:Gels; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D013049:Spectrin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D013696:Temperature; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014783:Viscosity
D001798:Blood Proteins; D005782:Gels; D006454:Hemoglobins; D013049:Spectrin