IS HEMOGLOBIN AN ESSENTIAL STRUCTURAL COMPONENT OF HUMAN ERYTHROCYTE MEMBRANES?*

Abstract
Human erythrocyte membranes (ghosts) which are 99.95% free of hemoglobin have been prepared by Danon''s technique of gradual osmotic lysis and found to contain all of the lipids of the intact cell. In addition, membrane ATPase remains intact and the ghosts retain their biconcave shape and osmotic responsiveness. These results are interpreted as indicating no structural role for hemoglobin in the membrane.
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