Biomaterial Database

Freeze-fracture cytochemistry: partition of glycophorin in freeze-fractured human erythrocyte membranes. 1982

P P da Silva, and M R Torrisi

Thin-section and critical-point-dried fracture-labeled preparations are used to determine the distribution and partition of glycophorin-associated wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) binding sites over protoplasmic and exoplasmic faces of freeze-fractured human erythrocyte membranes. Most wheat germ agglutinin binding sites are found over exoplasmic faces. Label is sparse over the protoplasmic faces. These results contrast with previous observations of the partition of band 3 component where biochemical analysis and fracture-label of concanavalin A (Con A) binding sites show preferential partition of this transmembrane protein with the protoplasmic face. Presence of characteristic proportions of WGA and Con A binding sites over each fracture face is interpreted to indicate the operation of a stochastic process during freeze-fracture. This process appears modulated by the relative expression of each transmembrane protein at either surface as well as by their association to components of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011952	Receptors, Concanavalin A	Glycoprotein moieties on the surfaces of cell membranes that bind concanavalin A selectively; the number and location of the sites depends on the type and condition of the cell.	Concanavalin A Binding Sites,Concanavalin A Receptors,Concanavalin A Receptor,Receptor, Concanavalin A
D011975	Receptors, Mitogen	Glycoprotein molecules on the surface of B- and T-lymphocytes, that react with molecules of antilymphocyte sera, lectins, and other agents which induce blast transformation of lymphocytes.	Lectin Receptors,Mitogen Receptors,Receptors, Lectin,Mitogen Receptor,Receptor, Mitogen
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
D005614	Freeze Fracturing	Preparation for electron microscopy of minute replicas of exposed surfaces of the cell which have been ruptured in the frozen state. The specimen is frozen, then cleaved under high vacuum at the same temperature. The exposed surface is shadowed with carbon and platinum and coated with carbon to obtain a carbon replica.	Fracturing, Freeze,Fracturings, Freeze,Freeze Fracturings
D006021	Glycophorins	The major sialoglycoprotein of human erythrocyte membranes. It consists of at least two sialoglycopeptides and is composed of 60% carbohydrate including sialic acid and 40% protein. It is involved in a number of different biological activities including the binding of MN blood groups, influenza viruses, kidney bean phytohemagglutinin, and wheat germ agglutinin.	Erythrocyte Sialoglycoproteins,Glycoconnectin,Glycoconnectins,Glycophorin,Glycophorin D,MN Sialoglycoprotein,Red Blood Cell Membrane Sialoglycoprotein,Glycophorin A,Glycophorin A(M),Glycophorin B,Glycophorin C,Glycophorin E,Glycophorin HA,Ss Erythrocyte Membrane Sialoglycoproteins,Ss Sialoglycoprotein,beta-Sialoglycoprotein,Sialoglycoprotein, MN,Sialoglycoprotein, Ss,Sialoglycoproteins, Erythrocyte,beta Sialoglycoprotein
D006651	Histocytochemistry	Study of intracellular distribution of chemicals, reaction sites, enzymes, etc., by means of staining reactions, radioactive isotope uptake, selective metal distribution in electron microscopy, or other methods.	Cytochemistry
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012795	Sialoglycoproteins	Glycoproteins which contain sialic acid as one of their carbohydrates. They are often found on or in the cell or tissue membranes and participate in a variety of biological activities.	Polysialoglycoprotein,Sialoglycopeptide,Sialoglycopeptides,Sialoglycoprotein,Sialoprotein,Sialoproteins,Polysialoglycoproteins