Activator-associated Ca2+-ATPase in erythrocyte membranes from cystic fibrosis patients

Erythrocyte membranes were prepared by a method which should ensure binding of an activator protein (calmodulin) to the calcium dependent membrane ATPase involved in calcium transport. The level of enzyme activity, assayed at optimum conditions, was 5-400 times higher than that found in previous investigations on cystic fibrosis patients. The Ca2+-ATPase activity of the cystic fibrosis patients was reduced by 15% compared to control subjects, whereas patients suffering from chronic pulmonary diseases did not deviate from controls. Even if a reduction of Ca2+ pumping activity occurs in other cells, a 15% decrease could hardly be the only cause of the changed calcium concentrations in secretions from cystic fibrosis patients.