Inhibition of glucose transport in human erythrocytes by 2,3-dioxoindole (Isatin)

10 mM isatin (2,3-dioxoindole) inhibited glucose influx into human erythrocytes by over 30%. The inhibition is of the competitive type, where the affinity constant (K_t) was increased from 5.71 (control) to 11.11 mM in the presence of isatin with no change in V_max (130 nmol/min/ml packed cells). The observed inhibition of sugar transport by isatin was not mediated through membrane–SH groups accessible to iodoacetate, iodoacetamide, DTNB, DNP or sodium arsenite. Isatin inhibited sugar transport in the presence of 2 mM harmaline, an alkaloid inhibitor of Na⁺, K⁺–ATP_ase activity. The inhibition was non additive which suggests that these two compounds interact with the same or a similar site on the erythrocyte membrane.     

Studies on potassium permeability changes in human erythrocytes

Zusammenfassung Die durch Monojodessigsäure und Purinnukleoside erzeugte K-Permeabilitätsänderung der Erythrocyten konnte durch Präinkubation mit Nukleosiden beeinflusst werden. Die Geschwindigkeitsänderung des K-Verlustes ist wahrscheinlich die Folge einer 2,3-Diphosphoglycerinsäure-Stoffwechselveränderung.     

The pH-dependence of glucose transport inhibition by local anesthetics in human erythrocytes

Summary Local anesthetics vary in inhibition of glucose transport in human erythrocytes at different pH-values in the incubation media.The authors thank Dr G. Zimmer for valuable discussions. The work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

The role of the lymph circulation in free fatty acid transport

Zusammenfassung Es wurde in der Leber- und Halslymphe des Hundes eine niedrigere Konzentration der freien Fettsäuren gefunden als im Blutplasma. Sie wird durch Noradrenalininfusion signifikant erhöht.     

Studies on cation transport in cold-stored human erythrocytes. I. Effect of aldosterone on sodium and potassium transfer

Riassunto L'aldosterone non esercita alcun effetto sugli scambi attivi di Na e di K che si manifestanoin vitro attraverso la membrana di eritrociti umani incubati a 37°C dopo 6 giorni di conservazione a 4°C.     

Effect of insulin on potassium transfer in human and chicken erythrocytes

Riassunto La conservazione al freddo degli eritrociti umani e di pollo per 6 giorni causa una fuoruscita di potassio dai globuli. Parte del potassio rientra nelle cellule durante incubazione a 37° C.La uabaina blocca questo fenomeno. L'insulina non ha effetto significativo nè sull'assunzione di potassio da parte del globulo rosso, nè sull'azione bloccante della uabaina.

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Aided by a grant from the Chicago Heart Association.

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Trainee, Diabetes Teaching Grant No. 2A-5102, National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, Public Health Service.     

The role of neuraminic acid in the stability and enzymic activity of acid phosphatase of the human prostate gland

Résumé On a comparé certaines propriétés physicochimiques et enzymatiques de la phosphomonoestérase acide native de la prostate de l'homme à celle traitée par la neuraminidase. L'enzyme dépourvue d'acide neuraminique atteint son optimum à un pH élevé, elle présente une plus grande affinité avec certains substrats et est inhibé d'une manière plus intense par lel(+)-tartrate que la phosphomonoestérase native.     

Adenosine uptake in pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase deficient human erythrocytes via a high affinity transport system

Using a pulse-labeling technique, 14C-adenosine uptake into pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase (P5N) deficient erythrocytes (RBC) was found to be impaired. The Lineweaver-Burk plot showed Km values of 2.0 X 10(-3) mM and 0.2 X 10(-3) mM for normal RBC and P5N deficient RBC, respectively. These results indicate that P5N is one of regulators of the adenosine transport system and/or is associated with adenosine carrier protein.     

Direct inhibition of phospholipid scrambling activity in erythrocytes by potassium ions

The exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) at the cell surface plays a critical role in blood coagulation and serves as a macrophage recognition moiety for the engulfment of apoptotic cells. Previous observations have shown that a high extracellular [K⁺] and selective K⁺ channel blockers inhibit PS exposure in platelets and erythrocytes. Here we show that the rate of PS exposure in erythrocytes decreases by ~50% when the intracellular [K⁺] increases from 0 to physiological concentrations. Using resealed erythrocyte membranes, we further show that lipid scrambling is inducible by raising the intracellular [Ca²⁺] and that K⁺ ions have a direct inhibitory effect on this process. Lipid scrambling in resealed ghosts occurs in the absence of cell shrinkage and microvesicle formation, processes that are generally attributed to Ca²⁺-induced lipid scrambling in intact erythrocytes. Thus, opening of Ca²⁺-sensitive K⁺ channels causes loss of intracellular K⁺ that results in reduced intrinsic inhibitory effect of these ions on scramblase activity. Received 11 September 2008; received after revision 17 October 2008; accepted 27 October 2008     

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in fish erythrocytes

Zusammenfassung Nachweis, dass-Aminobuttersäure und Taurin bei den 3 verwandten Plattfischarten Flunder, Scholle und Kliesche die wichtigsten intraerythrozytären freien Aminosäuren sind.

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This work supported by the Nasen Foundation (Norway) and the Norwegian Research Council for Science and the Humani ties (NAVF).     

The role of vitamin E in preventing the hemolysis of kid and chick erythrocytes with Tween 20

Summary Erythrocytes of vitamin E-deficient kids and chicks were hemolyzed at concentrations of Tween 20 above 1%. In vivo or in vitro uptake of vitamin E by the erythrocytes, or the addition of dithiothreitol or 2-mercaptoethanol, prevented the hemolysis with Tween 20.     

Membrane transport of Na and K and cell dehydration in sickle erythrocytes

The cellular concentration of Hb S plays a central role in the kinetic of Hb S polymerization and cell sickling. Blood of patients with homozygous sickle cell (SS) anemia contains a variable fraction of cells which are markedly dehydrated and have increased Hb S concentration. Since a decrease in cellular Hb S concentration reduces Hb S polymerization and sickling, the study of the processes leading to sickle cell dehydration has important pathophysiological and therapeutic implications. Sickle cell dehydration is due to cellular loss of K and Cl. K loss in sickle cells can take place via either the Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel, or the K?Cl cotransport, or the combined effect of oxidative damage and deformation of the red cell membrane. Inhibitors of K transport through these pathways could be used to prevent dehydration of sickle cells in vivo, provided that they can be administered safely.