Effect of lead on the calcium transport in human erythrocyte

In this paper we study the calcium uptake in the erythrocyte, a non-excitable cell. This uptake is performed through a passive transport system with two kinetic components (Michaelis-Menten and Hill), The uptake of calcium seems to be driven by voltage through its electrophoretical effect, Lead is capable of inhibiting calcium uptake in a non-competitive manner, As it has been described in other systems, lead is also capable of inhibiting calcium efflux by inhibiting Ca(Mg)-ATPase, Under physiological conditions, the Function of ATPase reduces the effect of lead on calcium influx, However, in chronic intoxication a small increment of intracellular calcium is observed, indicating that lead is affecting calcium efflux mainly, We discuss the effects of lead on calcium equilibrium in erythrocytes.