Biochemical changes during reticulocyte maturation in culture. A comparison of genetically different sheep erythrocytes

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Abstract
A simple culture technique was used to follow sheep reticulocyte maturation. Cells remained in good condition without lysis for at least 7 days and maintained normal intracellular ATP concentrations. Amino acid and nucleoside transport were measured during maturation together with changes in reduced glutathione (GSH), amino acid, K+ and Na+ concentrations. Reticulocytes of the genetic types high-K+ and low-K+; high-GSH and low-GSH; nucleoside-permeable and nucleoside-impermeable were indistinguishable both in transport properties and cellular constituents. Cell maturation was associated with marked decreases in L-alanine transport (Na+-dependent and independent), uridine transport and GSH and K+ concentrations. Typical mature-cell levels for all parameters were reached within the culture period, during which time predicted differences between cells of different genotypes became apparent. Loss of amino acid transport activity from low-GSH cells was accompanied by an increase in intracellular ornithine and lysine concentrations. The rates at which different parameters changed during culture were compared.