Abstract
The fusion of fresh human erythrocytes was shown to be induced by calcium and phosphate ions. Prior treatment of erythrocytes with phosphate ion was a pre-requisite for the calcium-induced fusion. ATP levels in cells incubated with phosphate and calcium decreased 46 fold while cell-associated calcium increased 70 fold during 1 hour of incubation at 37°C as compared to cells which were incubated with calcium in saline. Our results suggest that a phosphate complex formed bridges between adjacent erythrocytes causing agglutination followed by aggregation of membrane proteins leading to protein-free areas of lipids. Where these protein-free areas are in close contact fusion may occur.
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