Premium
Differences in intramembrane particle distribution in young and old human erythrocytes
Author(s) -
Cordero Julio F.,
Rodrıguez Pedro J.,
Romero Pedro J.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
cell biology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.932
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1095-8355
pISSN - 1065-6995
DOI - 10.1016/j.cellbi.2004.03.002
Subject(s) - distribution (mathematics) , particle (ecology) , biophysics , chemistry , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , mathematics , ecology , mathematical analysis
The distribution of intramembrane particles in human erythrocytes was studied by freeze‐fracture on young and old cells and compared to that obtained after ATP depletion or following addition of a clustering agent. It was shown that intramembrane particles became aggregated and the mean particle density increased as the cells aged. Likewise, both particle aggregation and increased density were found in young cells after moderate ATP depletion. In contrast, mean particle density was markedly reduced in both cell types after exhaustive depletion. Paradoxically, Zn treatment led to decreased particle density in young cells, whilst producing the opposite effect in aged cells. The results suggest that their low ATP content may account for the increased particle density of senescent cells.