Evidence for a mechanosensitive calcium influx into red cells.
Red cells exposed to glycophorin A reactive antibodies and lectins develop a non-specific cation permeability. To determine if this might be due to the activation of a non-selective mechanosensitive channel we have subjected red cells, loaded with a calcium responsive fluorescent probe, to filtration through 5 and 3 microm pores. Calcium entered 28% of normal red cells at the moment of deformation when 3 microm filtered, a finding consistent with the transient activation of a mechanosensitive channel. Red cells containing hemoglobin AC and AS had enhanced calcium responses to filtration. An increased influx of calcium in hemoglobin disorders might play a role in providing protection against Falciparum malaria.
Brain
Michael C
MC
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Room 388 Heritage Research Building, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 4N1. brain@ucalgary.ca
Pihl
Carin
C
Robertson
Laurie
L
Brown
Christopher B
CB
D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004907:Erythrocyte Deformability; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D005374:Filtration; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005453:Fluorescence; D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle; D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal; D006801:Humans; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular; D016062:Porosity
D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle; D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal; C076696:hemoglobin AC; C028671:hemoglobin AS; D002118:Calcium