Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Ultrastructure and function of erythrocyte membrane skeleton

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7070047

The membrane of the human erythrocyte is reinforced along its entire cytoplasmic surface by a two-dimensional network of peripheral proteins that closely adhere to the membrane proper through specific protein-protein interactions. This protein network resembles a shell that retains the approximate size and shape of the membrane ghost and is generally termed the skeleton. Spectrin, the major constituent of the membrane skeleton, accounts for approximately 75% of the skeletal protein mass. The molecular structure of spectrin is discussed in this paper.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
7070047
Report Number(s):
CONF-8803102-3; ON: DE88012003
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English