ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDY OF DISRUPTION OF RED-CELL MEMBRANES

This paper reports the results of an electron microscope study of the disruption of red-cell ghosts in distilled water and in strong salt solutions as observed in negative contrast preparations. Proteins released from the membrane by these treatments include a fibrous component, which appears to play some part in maintaining the structural integrity of the intact ghost. Preliminary estimates indicate that 5-10% of nonhaemoglobin protein is released from the membrane by washing twice in distilled water, and a further 10-20% is released if the pellet of distilled-water-washed vesicles is resuspended in strong NaBr solution. © 1969.