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Shape changes of the human red cell studied by aqueous two-phase partition
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Umeå, Sweden.
FEBS Letters
|March 12, 1990
Summary
Human red blood cells change their partition behavior when their shape transforms. Echinocytic red blood cells show increased partitioning due to altered membrane surface properties and hydrophobicity.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Membrane Biophysics
Background:
- Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) are valuable for studying cell surface properties.
- Metabolic changes induce shape transformations in human red blood cells, affecting their biophysical characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between red blood cell shape and partition behavior in ATPS.
- To elucidate the underlying changes in membrane surface properties during shape transformation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS), both charge-sensitive and charge-insensitive.
- Induced and reversed metabolic changes in human red blood cells to alter their shape.
- Quantified cell partitioning within the ATPS to assess changes in surface properties.
Main Results:
- Red blood cell partitioning in ATPS increased significantly as cells transformed into echinocytic forms.
- This increased partitioning was observed in both charge-sensitive and charge-insensitive systems, indicating hydrophobicity as a key factor.
- Reversal of echinocytosis by ATP repletion restored both cell shape and initial partition behavior.
Conclusions:
- Human red blood cells exhibit shape-dependent partition behavior in ATPS.
- Shape changes, specifically the formation of echinocytes, lead to rearrangements in the cell membrane, increasing surface hydrophobicity and accessibility of binding groups.
- The findings suggest a less efficiently packed and more fluid lipid bilayer structure in echinocytic cells, enhancing their affinity for the upper phase.