Active potassium transport and the L and M antigens of sheep and coat red cells

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1. 1. Active K + transport and the distribution of the L and M antigens have been investigated in sheep and goat red cells. 2. 2. Low K − (LK) type goat red cells have a significantly lower rate of active K + uptake than high K + (HK) type cells. Active K + transport and the associated (Na +- K +-activated ATPase activity in LK goat red cells was stimulated 1.5-8-fold by sensitization with sheep anti-L, even though the presence of this antibody could not be detected by complement lysis. 3. 3. Ether and acid eluates of anti-L from sensitized goat and sheep red cells haemolysed sheep but not goat red cells and stimulated active K + transport in both goat and sheep red cells. There was no apparent correlation between the presence of the M antigen and K + types in goats as there is in sheep. 4. 4. It is suggested that there may be two specificities of L substance, one associated specifically with the K + pump in sheep and goat red cells and not readily detectable serologically, and the other, found only on sheep red cells which may or may not be associated with the pump but which is easily detected by haemolytic tests.