Species difference in the effects of proteolytic enzymes on red cell membrane

Pronase and alpha-chymotrypsin digested the major glycoprotein in the human and mouse red cell membranes and in SDS gel electrophoresis the glycoprotein disappeared accompanied by the appearance of a new band of lower mol. wt. However in the membranes of sheep, rat and rabbit, no digestion was demonstrated. The effects of pronase on anion permeability were almost identical for human and animal erythrocytes.