POTASSIUM TRANSPORT IN THE ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE-DEFICIENT ERYTHROCYTES OF PAROXYSMAL NOCTURNAL HEMOGLOBINURIA (PNH)*

Abstract
The influx and efflux rates of K in normal human and PNH (paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria) erythrocytes have been investigated. PNH erythrocytes markedly deficient in acetylcholinesterase activity still had normal K influx and efflux rates. The computed transfer coefficients showed virtually no difference. These findings suggest that erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity is not essential for the maintenance of normal human red cell permeability.