Affinity chromatography of Band 3 was performed using a series of affinity matrices synthesized with various inhibitor ligands and spacer arms. Hydrophilic spacer arms greater than four atoms in length were essential for Band 3 binding. An affinity resin prepared by reacting 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (Ki = 10 microM) with Affi-Gel 102 was found to be the most effective resin of the series tested. Solubilized proteins from human erythrocyte membranes were incubated with the affinity resin, and pure Band 3 was recovered by eluting with 4-benzamido-4'-aminostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (BADS; Ki = 2 microM). Band 3 bound to the resin specifically in its stilbene disulfonate binding site, and optimal binding was achieved at pH 8 and at high ionic strength. At 4 degrees C, up to 80% of the bound Band 3 could be eluted by 1 mM BADS, whereas the remainder could be eluted under denaturing conditions using 1% lithium dodecyl sulfate. At 22 or 37 degrees C, the amount of BADS-elutable Band 3 was reduced with a concomitant increase of Band 3 in the lithium dodecyl sulfate elute. Thus, for successful affinity chromatography, the experiment must be carried out rapidly at 4 degrees C. This procedure was also used to purify the Band 3 protein from mouse, horse, pig, and chicken erythrocytes.