Conformational change of membrane proteins leads to shape changes of red blood cells.
High-resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) allows a new insight into the surface of mammalian cells. Using the human red blood cell (RBC) as a model, we have demonstrated an important correlation between the conformation of membrane proteins measured from the external face of the cell and the cell shape.
Betz
Thomas
T
Laboratory of Biophysics, Saarland University, P.O. Box 151150, 66041 Saarbrücken, Germany.
Bakowsky
Udo
U
Müller
Michael R
MR
Lehr
Claus-Michael
CM
Bernhardt
Ingolf
I
D048430:Cell Shape; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force
D008565:Membrane Proteins