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Updated: Oct 9, 2026

Induction of Eryptosis in Red Blood Cells Using a Calcium Ionophore
Published on: January 21, 2020
Hypochlorous acid damages erythrocyte membrane proteins and alters lipid bilayer structure and fluidity
I B Zavodnik1, E A Lapshina, L B Zavodnik
1Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Grodno, Belarus.
Abstract:
Treatment of human erythrocyte membranes with active forms of chlorine (hypochlorous acid and chloramine T) resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of the membrane Na(+), K(+)- and Mg(2+)-ATPases. Membrane protein thiol group oxidation was consistent with inactivation of enzymes and preceded oxidation of tryptophan residues and chloramine formation. Erythrocyte exposure to hypochlorous acid led to complex changes of cell membrane rigidity and cell morphological transformations: cell swelling, echinocyte formation, and haemolysis. The inhibition of ion pump ATPases of human erythrocyte membranes may be due to direct oxidation of essential residues of enzyme (thiol groups) and structural rearrangement of the membrane.
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