Stimulation of Erythrocyte Cell Membrane Scrambling by Gedunin

Gedunin, an inhibitor of heat shock protein HSP90, triggers apoptosis of tumor cells and is thus effective against malignancy. Moreover, the drug has antimalarial potency. In analogy to apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes may enter suicidal death or eryptosis, which is characterized by cell shrinkage and by phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Eryptosis may be triggered by increase of cytosolic Ca(2+)-activity ([Ca(2+)]i). The present study explored whether gedunin stimulates eryptosis.