The enzymes of the red blood cell plasma membrane

Red blood cell plasma membranes contain a number of enzymes: ATPases, anion transport protein, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, protein kinases, adenylate cyclase, acetylcholinesterase. Most of them are tightly bound to the membrane and are present in small amounts. As a result, structural characterization of erythrocyte membrane enzymes has not yet been successful. Functional studies have, however, yielded a great deal of information. ATPases allow active transport of cations (calcium, sodium, potassium). Anion transport protein controls movements of chloride and phosphate ions, and of glucose and water. Among glycolytic enzymes: glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase is partially bound to the membrane. Protein kinases catalyze the phosphorylation of several membrane proteins, one of which (spectrin) is involved in red blood cell mechanical properties. The physiological role of adenylate cyclase is unknown. Acetylcholinesterase is an ectoenzyme. Calcium-dependent ATPase, adenylate cyclase and phosphorylation of erythrocyte membrane proteins have been found abnormal in various conditions: hereditary spherocytosis, sickle-cell anemia, progressive muscular dystrophies, all of these disorders being associated with a decreased deformability of the erythrocyte.