Erythrocyte shape dynamics: influence of electrolyte conditions and membrane potential

The correlation of erythrocyte shape and transmembrane potential already published (J. Membrane Biol 51 (1979), 217 and 66 (1982) 79) has been confirmed by using glutaraldehyde fixation and experiments without ionophores. It is demonstrated additionally that the influence of amphipathic drugs on the shape formation depends on the membrane electric field. The results can be interpreted assuming a negatively charged membrane compound being distributed between the two leaflets by electrochemical equilibrium.