Alteration of calcium transport in Duchenne erythrocytes

Erythrocyte calcium transport as a function of free [Ca++] was examined using inside-out vesicles from eight pairs of patients with Duchenne dystrophy and age- and sex-matched controls. The Km for Ca++ of the transport protein and the Vmax were higher in the Duchenne vesicles in seven of the eight pairs. The mean Km and Vmax were significantly higher in the Duchenne group.