Human red blood cells from prenatal hemopoiesis. Lithium flux (sodium dependent) asymmetry.

J L Corchs, D Taborda, R E Serrani

Journal: Biocell : official journal of the Sociedades Latinoamericanas de Microscopia Electronica ... et. al 2001;24(3):233-7

PMID: 11201659

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Abstract

In red cells from umbilical cord blood it has been referred the existence of lithium fluxes (contralateral sodium dependent) asymmetry. On account of the relevancy of this transport system in some pathologies it is pertinent the study of its kinetics to relate normal with pathological states in which it is affected. Lithium fluxes--contralateral sodium dependent were determined in N-ethylmaleimide treated neonatal red blood cells. Experimental data were fitted by simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics, finding Km and Vmax variables. It was shown the persistency of asymmetry. The independence of sulfhydryl groups (or the occultation of the groups involved to this inhibitor) could explain asymmetry persistence.

Address: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National University of Rosario, Santa Fe 3100, (2000) Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina.

MeSH Terms: Amiloride, Cell Membrane, Culture Media, Erythrocytes, Ethylmaleimide, Female, Fetal Blood, Hematopoiesis, Humans, Ion Transport, Kinetics, Lithium, Pregnancy, Sodium, Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase