Biomaterial Database

Calcium-induced potassium pathway in sided erythrocyte membrane vesicles. 1979

H Sze, and A K Solomon

We have characterized the asymmetric effect of Ca2+ on passive K+ permeability in erythrocyte membranes, using inside out and right-side out vesicles. Ca2+, but not Mg2+, can induce an increase in K+ uptake in inside out vesicles. The half-maximal concentration of Ca2+ required to induce the K+ uptake is 0.2 mM, and the permeability increase is not specific for K+. Thus, the Ca2+- induced permeation process in inside out vesicles is changed from that in the energy-depleted intact cell which requires only micromolar concentrations of Ca2+ and is specific for K+. Removal of spectrin had no effect on the vesicle permeability increase due to Ca2+. Studies with N-ethylmaleimide show that the vesicle channel openings is mediated by a protein and passage is controlled by sulfhydryl groups; furthermore, the Ca2+-induced vesicle pathway is distinct from the normal channel for passive K+ leak in the absence of Ca2+. The protein is sensitive to its phospholipid environment since removal of easily accessible phospholipid head groups on the cytoplasmic face of the vesicles inhibits the Ca2+ -stimulated channel opening.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007473	Ion Channels	Gated, ion-selective glycoproteins that traverse membranes. The stimulus for ION CHANNEL GATING can be due to a variety of stimuli such as LIGANDS, a TRANSMEMBRANE POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE, mechanical deformation or through INTRACELLULAR SIGNALING PEPTIDES AND PROTEINS.	Membrane Channels,Ion Channel,Ionic Channel,Ionic Channels,Membrane Channel,Channel, Ion,Channel, Ionic,Channel, Membrane,Channels, Ion,Channels, Ionic,Channels, Membrane
D007700	Kinetics	The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D008274	Magnesium	A metallic element that has the atomic symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and atomic weight 24.31. It is important for the activity of many enzymes, especially those involved in OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION.
D010539	Permeability	Property of membranes and other structures to permit passage of light, heat, gases, liquids, metabolites, and mineral ions.	Permeabilities
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D004910	Erythrocyte Membrane	The semi-permeable outer structure of a red blood cell. It is known as a red cell 'ghost' after HEMOLYSIS.	Erythrocyte Ghost,Red Cell Cytoskeleton,Red Cell Ghost,Erythrocyte Cytoskeleton,Cytoskeleton, Erythrocyte,Cytoskeleton, Red Cell,Erythrocyte Cytoskeletons,Erythrocyte Ghosts,Erythrocyte Membranes,Ghost, Erythrocyte,Ghost, Red Cell,Membrane, Erythrocyte,Red Cell Cytoskeletons,Red Cell Ghosts
D004912	Erythrocytes	Red blood cells. Mature erythrocytes are non-nucleated, biconcave disks containing HEMOGLOBIN whose function is to transport OXYGEN.	Blood Cells, Red,Blood Corpuscles, Red,Red Blood Cells,Red Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell, Red,Blood Corpuscle, Red,Erythrocyte,Red Blood Cell,Red Blood Corpuscle
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001692	Biological Transport	The movement of materials (including biochemical substances and drugs) through a biological system at the cellular level. The transport can be across cell membranes and epithelial layers. It also can occur within intracellular compartments and extracellular compartments.	Transport, Biological,Biologic Transport,Transport, Biologic