Adult Erythrocytes Research Articles

The switch from larval to adult globin gene expression in Xenopus laevis is mediated by erythroid cells from distinct compartments

The transition of hemoglobins during metamorphosis of Xenopus laevis involves replacement of the larval erythrocytes by adult ones, suggesting that the developmental control of this event depends upon the growth characteristics of the precursor cells. To identify the erythroid precursor cells and to investigate their developmental fate, we analyzed the distribution of stage-specific globin mRNAs by northern blotting in dorsal and ventral fragments of stage 32 embryos after in vitro culture as well as presumptive erythropoietic tissues of tadpoles during metamorphosis. The histological analysis shows that erythrocytes differentiate only in ventral fragments, suggesting that the ventral blood islands and most likely also the dorsolateral mesoderm are the primary sites of erythropoiesis. We also demonstrate that the first generations of erythrocytes, already express the predominating larval-specific alpha-globin mRNAs. The globin mRNA patterns obtained from presumptive erythropoietic tissues suggest an important role of circulating precursor cells in larval erythropoiesis, whereas the liver appears to be the main site of formation and maturation of the adult erythrocytes. Tentatively we propose that anuran erythropoiesis is dependent upon a self-perpetuating stem-cell line and that the larval and the adult erythrocytes are derived from successive generations of erythroid precursors, whose commitment may be imposed by the erythropoietic sites.

A chicken red cell inhibitor of transcription associated with the terminally differentiated state.

When a red cell nuclear extract (RCE) from adult chickens was injected into Xenopus oocytes along with the chicken beta globin gene, transcript levels were dramatically reduced compared to injection of DNA alone. The inhibitory action of the RCE was not specific to the beta globin gene since the Herpes thymidine kinase and Xenopus 5S RNA gene transcript levels were similarly reduced. Transcriptional repression was observed even after passage of the RCE through oocyte cytoplasm to the nucleus. The inhibitory activity binds to DNA cellulose, which suggests that the inhibitor either binds to DNA or associates with DNA-binding proteins. Nuclease digestion of the chromatin assembled on injected beta globin DNA revealed that inhibition was not associated with local changes in chromatin structure. Extracts from 9-d chicken embryonic erythroid cells, in which the endogenous beta globin gene is actively expressed, did not inhibit transcription. The inhibitory activity is, therefore, restricted to transcriptionally quiescent, adult erythrocytes. Since the inhibitory effects were seen with both polymerase II and III directed genes, we speculate that the activity may be part of the extreme transcriptional repression which occurs in the terminally differentiated erythrocyte.

Protein-binding A + T-rich motifs flank the duck β A-globin enhancer

The duck β A-globin (β GLB) enhancer DNA was analysed by footprinting for sites of specific binding of proteins extracted from duck erythrocytes. The results were compared with previously determined protein binding to the homologous region in chicken DNA. Two A + T-rich protein-binding sites, not recognized in chicken, were found at the 5'-end and the 3'-end of the duck β GLB enhancer. The 5'-motif (designated BS-1; 5'-AAACAAAATGAA) binds proteins extracted from both embryonic and adult erythrocytes, while the 3 '-motif (55-2 ; 5'-ATAAACAAGGTC) binds protein from embryonic cells only.

C8 binding protein bears I antigenic determinants

C8 binding protein (C8bp) is an integral membrane glycoprotein of peripheral blood cells, which inhibits the C5b-9-mediated lysis in a homologous system. In the present study, we analyzed the carbohydrate portion of the C8bp. We found that C8bp is associated with I antigenic determinant, a sugar sequence found on human erythrocytes of adults. To assess whether or not the sugar residues are essential for the C8bp function, I determinant was cleaved off from the isolated C8bp by endo-beta-galactosidase (E.C. 3.2.2.103) that hydrolyses internal beta-galactosidic-linked-N-acetyllactosamine residues. Enzyme treatment removed I-antigen, the inhibitory function of C8bp, however, was not affected. When intact erythrocytes were treated with endo-beta-galactosidase, I-antigen was lost and the lytic insusceptibility of human erythrocytes to homologous C5b-9 could not be abolished. Thus, I-antigen is associated with the C8bp, but its presence is not required for the homologous species restriction.

Compensation by Fetal Erythrocytes of Plasma Glucose Changes in Rats

Changes in plasma glucose and glucose and glycogen content in fetal erythrocytes (FRBCs) were studied in rats between days 15 and 21 of gestation and in adult rats. Plasma and FRBC glucose concentrations increased during fetal life and were higher in erythrocytes than in plasma. Glycogen was higher in FRBCs than in adult erythrocytes and tended to decrease from day 15 to 19 of gestation and to increase again on day 21. When FRBCs were incubated in vitro in different glucose concentrations to study their capacity to compensate for changes in plasma glucose concentration, younger cells showed better glucose-buffering capacities. Glucose and glycogen levels in FRBCs increased when they were incubated in high-glucose medium, and the glycogen concentration reached was higher in the early fetal stage than by the end of gestation. Nevertheless, adult erythrocytes accumulated more glycogen in high-glucose medium than cells from any of the fetal-aged erythrocytes. When glucose was injected intraperitoneally into fetuses of different ages, there was an increase of 3.7 microM/ml in glucose concentration in blood from the umbilical artery and 2.5 microM/ml in blood from the umbilical vein. FRBCs buffered some of this change, as evident by an increase in glycogen content. Again, buffering capacity was greater for erythrocytes in younger fetuses. Epinephrine diminished glycogen concentration in venous FRBCs on days 19 and 21 of gestation even in hyperglycemia. Insulin diminished glucose concentration in arterial plasma on days 17 and 21 of gestation, but there were no changes in glucose and glycogen in FRBCs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

DNA single-strand breaks in adult and embryonic avian erythrocytes

We have investigated the possibility that the reactivation rate of adult avian erythrocytes, which is slower than that of embryonic erythrocytes, after fusion with metabolically active cells, is due to a greater number of single-strand breaks (ssb) in the DNA of the former. We have assayed ssb by measuring the template activity of the erythrocyte nuclei for added Escherichia coli DNA polymerase. We have found that differences in the numbers of ssb within polymerase-accessible regions between adult and embryonic cells are within experimental error. We conclude that, unless very localized clusters of damage exist within the DNA (which would not be detectable by this or other techniques), the difference in reactivation rate is not attributable to differences in ssb numbers.

The management of severe erythroblastosis fetalis by fetal transfusion: Survival of transfused adult erythrocytes in the fetus

The survival of adult erythrocytes transfused into the fetus was measured after intravascular and/or intraperitoneal transfusion. We performed 80 fetal transfusions on 20 severely anemic fetuses, 18 of whom survived. The survival of adult erythrocytes in the fetal circulation was similar to that in the adult circulation and did not depend on the route of transfusion, gestational age, or presence of hydrops. Eighty percent of blood transfused into the fetal peritoneal cavity appeared in the fetal circulation.

GLYCERIN‐INDUCED HAEMOLYSIS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF HAEMOFILTER

Journal of Paediatrics and Child HealthVolume 26, Issue 3 p. 166-167 Free Access GLYCERIN-INDUCED HAEMOLYSIS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF HAEMOFILTER C.-S. FENG, C.-S. FENG Departments of Morbid Anatomy and Paediatrics Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital Shatin, New Territories Hong KongSearch for more papers by this authorT.-K. LAM, T.-K. LAM Departments of Morbid Anatomy and Paediatrics Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital Shatin, New Territories Hong KongSearch for more papers by this authorN. LEE, N. LEE Departments of Morbid Anatomy and Paediatrics Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital Shatin, New Territories Hong KongSearch for more papers by this authorT.-F. FOK, T.-F. FOK Departments of Morbid Anatomy and Paediatrics Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital Shatin, New Territories Hong KongSearch for more papers by this authorF. M.-M. LAI., F. M.-M. LAI. Departments of Morbid Anatomy and Paediatrics Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital Shatin, New Territories Hong KongSearch for more papers by this author C.-S. FENG, C.-S. FENG Departments of Morbid Anatomy and Paediatrics Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital Shatin, New Territories Hong KongSearch for more papers by this authorT.-K. LAM, T.-K. LAM Departments of Morbid Anatomy and Paediatrics Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital Shatin, New Territories Hong KongSearch for more papers by this authorN. LEE, N. LEE Departments of Morbid Anatomy and Paediatrics Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital Shatin, New Territories Hong KongSearch for more papers by this authorT.-F. FOK, T.-F. FOK Departments of Morbid Anatomy and Paediatrics Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital Shatin, New Territories Hong KongSearch for more papers by this authorF. M.-M. LAI., F. M.-M. LAI. Departments of Morbid Anatomy and Paediatrics Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital Shatin, New Territories Hong KongSearch for more papers by this author First published: June 1990 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1754.1990.tb02419.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. References 1 Tourtellotte W. W., Reingfass J. L., Newkirk T. A. Cerebral dehydration action of glycerol. Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 1972; 13: 159– 71. 2 Hagnevik K., Gordon E., Lins L. E., Wilhelmsson S., Forster D. Glycerol-induced haemolysis with haemoglobinuria and acute renal failure: Report of three cases. Lancet 1974; 1: 75– 7. 3 Welch K. M. A., Meyer J. S., Okamoto S., Mathew N. T., Rivera V. M., Bond J. Glycerol-induced haemolysis. Lancet 1974; 1: 416– 7. 4 Ronco C., Brandolan A., Bragantini L., Chiaramonte S., Fabria A., Feriani M., Frigioz A. LaGraca G. Treatment of acute renal failure in the newborn by continuous arteriovenous hemofilitration. Trans. ASAIO 1965; 31: 634– 8. 5 Bechdolt S., Shroeder L. K., Samia C., Schmidt P. J. In vivo haemolysis of deglyceroized red blood cells. Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. 1986; 110: 344– 5. 6 Moore, T. J. Glycerol permeability of human fetal and adult erythrocytes and of model membrane. J. Lipid Res. 1968; 9: 642– 6. Volume26, Issue3June 1990Pages 166-167 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Ontogeny and tissue distribution of leukocyte-common antigen bearing cells during early development of Xenopus laevis

To analyze the ontogenic emergence of leukocytes during early development, a mouse monoclonal antibody (IgG1), designated as XL-1, was produced against the peritoneal macrophages of adult Xenopus laevis. The XL-1 determinant was expressed on all types of leukocytes, including lymphocytes, granulocytes, thrombocytes and macrophages, but not on erythrocytes of either larvae or adults. Immunohistochemical observations of the hemopoietic organs revealed that the XL-1+ cells with granulocyte and/or macrophage morphology appeared at st.36-37 in the liver, at st.44-45 in the mesonephric and the thymus rudiments, and at st.47 in the spleen. The XL-1 determinant was expressed on the precursor cells of T lymphocytes in the thymus rudiments at st.46-47, on the pre-B cells in the liver rudiments at st.47, and on lymphocytes in the spleen at st.48-49. A few XL-1+ cells were present in the ventral blood island of the st.35/36 embryos, where differentiating erythrocytes had predominated since st.28. XL-1+ cells with a macrophage-like morphology were found in several locations of the mesenchyme in the st.32 embryos, before the establishment of vascularization at st.33/34 and far earlier than the emergence of lymphocytes.

Synthesis of Functional Human Hemoglobin in Transgenic Mice

Human alpha- and beta-globin genes were separately fused downstream of two erythroid-specific deoxyribonuclease (DNase) I super-hypersensitive sites that are normally located 50 kilobases upstream of the human beta-globin gene. These two constructs were coinjected into fertilized mouse eggs, and expression was analyzed in transgenic animals that developed. Mice that had intact copies of the transgenes expressed high levels of correctly initiated human alpha- and beta-globin messenger RNA specifically in erythroid tissue. An authentic human hemoglobin was formed in adult erythrocytes that when purified had an oxygen equilibrium curve identical to the curve of native human hemoglobin A (Hb A). Thus, functional human hemoglobin can be synthesized in transgenic mice. This provides a foundation for production of mouse models of human hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease.

An analysis of the stopped-flow kinetics of gaseous ligand uptake and release by adult mouse erythrocytes

Ligand uptake and release by the haemoglobin contained within adult mouse erythrocytes was studied by using dual-wavelength stopped-flow techniques. The rate of O2 uptake is very much lower than that expected for an equivalent concentration of haemoglobin in free solution. The O2-concentration-dependence found in uptake experiments is greater than first-order. CO uptake shows the same pattern of reactivity as does O2, but the associated rates of uptake are lower and the concentration-dependence of the CO rates is first-order. O2 release from the adult erythrocytes was measured by stopped-flow mixing with Na2S2O4. Under these circumstances the deoxygenation of intracellular haemoglobin shows accelerating time courses. The apparent rate-constant-dependence on dithionite concentration shows a rate limit at high reductant concentrations. Computer simulations of both ligand uptake and release processes were carried out by using a three-dimensional model. The simulations clearly indicate that in rapid-mixing experiments the rather slow experimentally observed O2 uptake rate is due to rate-limiting diffusion through an extracellular stagnant solvent layer. In the case of O2 release, however, the major rate-controlling process is the rate of O2 dissociation from the haemoglobin molecules, which accelerates during the deoxygenation process.

Flow behavior of neonatal and adult erythrocytes in narrow capillaries

This study was designed to analyze the flow behavior of red blood cells (RBCs) in circular vessels with diameters of 3 to 6 μm by means of a mathematical model. According to this model, the RBC flow velocity is 1 mm/sec, RBCs assume axisymmetric shape, and the gap between the RBC and the vessel wall allows sufficient lubrication. The flow resistance depends on the surface area and volume of RBCs, the plasma viscosity, and the vessel diameter. Surface area and volume of RBCs from 10 term neonates and 10 adults were determined by means of a micropipet system and plasma viscosity was measured using a capillary viscometer. Neonatal RBCs had larger volumes (107 ± 6 fl vs 90 ± 4 fl) and surface areas (154 ± 7 μm 2 vs 137 ± 7 μm 2) than adult RBCs ( P < 0.005). Plasma viscosity was lower in neonates than in adults (1.04 ± 0.10 cP vs 1.26 ± 0.13 cP; P < 0.005). The flow model leads to the following conclusions: During the passage of 3- to 6-μm vessels, the large neonatal RBCs are more elongated than the smaller adult RBCs. In vessels with diameters of less than 3.3 μm, the rear of neonatal RBCs becomes convex, whereas this critical vessel diameter is 3.1 μm for adult RBCs. If the cells are suspended in the same medium, neonatal RBCs require a 31% higher driving pressure than adult RBCs to achieve the necessary elongation for passing through a narrow capillary. However, both cell types require similar driving pressures, if the cells are suspended in the corresponding plasma. The tube/discharge hematocrit ratio of neonatal RBCs is 1 to 6% higher than that of adult cells. Relative viscosity of neonatal RBCs is approximately 7% higher compared with adult RBCs, whereas the blood viscosity (relative viscosity times plasma viscosity) is 12% less in neonates than in adults. We conclude that the large size of neonatal RBCs may cause impaired flow in narrow vessels with diameters below the critical value of 3.3 μm. In vessels with diameters of 3.3–6.0 μm, the disadvantage of the large size of neonatal RBCs appears to be completely compensated for by the lower plasma viscosity in the neonate.

Formation of intracellular vesicles in neonatal and adult erythrocytes: evidence against the concept of neonatal hyposplenism.

Intraerythrocytic vesicles accumulate in the peripheral blood as a result of impaired clearance of these intracellular inclusions by the spleen. The observation that neonates demonstrate an increased percentage of erythrocytes containing these vesicles constitutes the primary evidence supporting the concept that the newborn is functionally hyposplenic. Neonatal erythrocytes also demonstrate an increased propensity to undergo a variety of endocytic processes. We therefore questioned whether the increase in red cell vesicles in the neonate might be the result of increased vesicle formation as opposed to impaired splenic clearance. Newborn and adult erythrocytes were incubated in vitro in synthetic medium at 37 degrees C. Several parameters confirmed the maintenance of physiologic conditions, including levels of erythrocyte phosphate metabolites monitored by nuclear magnetic resonance. The acquisition of intraerythrocytic vesicles during the course of these incubations was compared. Over a period of 144 h, 19.2% of neonatal erythrocytes acquired vesicles compared to 3.7% of the adult cells (p less than 0.001). The increase in vesicles was greater in younger density-separated erythrocytes in both the neonate (37.6%, p less than 0.0005) and the adult (10.3%, p less than 0.002), but persisted even in the oldest erythrocytes (12.2% and 2.4%, respectively). We conclude that the increase in erythrocytic vesicles in the neonate may not simply be an indication of hyposplenism, but a reflection of increased vesicle formation which overwhelms the clearance capability of the spleen.

Inhibition of membrane erythrocyte (Ca 2+ +Mg 2+)-ATPase by hemin

Red blood cell lysis is a common symptom following severe or prolonged oxidative stress. Oxidative processes occur commonly in sickle cells, probably mediated through denatured hemoglobin and the accumulation of ferric hemes in the membranes. Calmodulin-stimulated (Ca 2+ +Mg 2+)-ATPase from sickle red cell membranes is partially inactivated (Leclerc et al. (1987) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 897, 33–40). In this study (Ca 2+ +Mg 2+)-ATPase activity from normal adult erythrocyte membranes was measured in the presence of hemin. We report a time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of the activity of the enzyme by hemin due to a decrease in the maximum velocity. Only a mild inhibitory effect was observed in the presence of iron-free protoporphyrin IX, indicating the catalytic influence of the iron. Experiments carried out with hemin (ferric iron) liganded with imidazole or with reduced protoheme (ferrous iron) liganded with carbon monoxide, demonstrated that the inhibition requires that hemin be capable of binding additional ligands. The inhibition was not influenced by the absence of oxygen but was prevented by addition of bovine serum albumin. Addition of butylated hydroxytoluene, a protective agent of lipid peroxidation, failed to prevent the inhibition of calmodulin-stimulated (Ca 2+ +Mg 2+)-ATPase. As dithiothreitol partially restores the enzyme activity, we postulated that hemin interacts with the thiol groups of the enzyme.

MHC class I antigens as surface markers of adult erythrocytes during the metamorphosis of Xenopus

An alloantiserum produced against Xenopus MHC class I antigens has been used to distinguish different erythrocyte populations at metamorphosis. By analysis using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analyzer, tadpole (stage 55) and adult erythrocytes have distinct volume differences and tadpole cells have no MHC antigens on the cell surface. Both tadpole and adult erythrocytes express a “mature erythrocyte” antigen marker, recognized by its monoclonal antibody (F1F6). During metamorphosis, immature erythrocytes, at various stages of differentiation, which express adult levels of cell-surface MHC antigens by 12 days after tail resorption, are found in the bloodstream. These immature cells are biosynthetically active, produce adult hemoglobin, and mature by 60 days after the completion of metamorphosis. Percoll gradient-density fractionation has shown that all of the cells in the new erythrocyte series express adult levels of MHC antigens but there is only a gradual increase in the amount of “mature erythrocyte” antigen. Tadpole erythrocytes, which are biosynthetically active during larval stages, produce small amounts of surface MHC antigens before the metamorphic climax and then become metabolically inactive. They are completely cleared from the circulation by 60 days after metamorphosis. Erythrocytes from tadpoles arrested in their development for long period of time express intermediate levels of MHC antigens, suggesting a “leaky” expression of these molecules in the tadpole cells. The most abundant erythrocyte cell-surface proteins from tadpoles and adults, as judged by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, are very different.

Cellular dehydration and immunoglobulin binding in senescent neonatal erythrocytes.

The life span of neonatal erythrocytes (60-80 days) is shorter than that of adult erythrocytes (120 days). We studied neonatal red blood cells separated on stractan density gradients to further characterize the aging process and to explore the possibility that senescence antigens play a role in the destruction of neonatal erythrocytes. Quantitation of membrane proteins 4.1a and 4.1b served as a marker for cell age and confirmed an enrichment for senescent red cells in the most dense layers of the gradients. Despite the shorter life span of neonatal erythrocytes, cord blood contained a larger percentage of very dense, K+-depleted red cells than did adult blood. ATP levels in dense neonatal and adult cells were decreased to 50-80% of normal values for unseparated red cells. Levels of reduced glutathione did not fall with increasing cell density. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of red cell membrane proteins showed increased membrane-associated globin in senescent neonatal cells, but such gels run without reducing agents did not show oxidative protein cross-linking. Membrane bound immunoglobulins were detected on senescent neonatal and adult red cells by the rosetting antiglobulin test. We conclude that senescence antigens are revealed during the aging process of neonatal erythrocytes, thereby labeling them for antibody-mediated destruction in the reticuloendothelial system.

The glycosphingolipid composition of the placenta of a blood group P fetus delivered by a blood group P k1 woman and analysis of the anti-globoside antibodies found in maternal serum

To further define the molecules that may mediate spontaneous abortion due to maternal-fetal blood group incompatibility within the P blood group system, we have examined the fine specificities of maternal antibodies and the glycolipid antigens from the placenta of a P infant born to a P k 1 mother. Maternal antibodies obtained during therapeutic plasmapheresis were analyzed to determine their reactivities with placental glycolipid extracts on thin-layer plates. Second antibodies specific for IgM, IgG, and IgA revealed immunoglobulins of all of these classes strongly reactive with one major placental glycolipid that comigrates with globoside. GC/MS analysis confirmed that the major P-active pentaglycosylceramide of placenta has the same structure as that previously shown for the P antigen of red blood cells: GalNAcβ13Galαl4Galβ14GlcCer. Serum antibodies partially purified by affinity chromatography on globoside-octyl-Sepharose specifically recognize glycolipids that contain terminal GalNAcβ1-3Gal … residues and also recognize the same sequence as an internal determinant in some, but not all, glycolipids with extended globoside core regions. Thus, in the blood group P incompatible fetus, the major P antigen present in placenta has the same carbohydrate structure as the P antigen present in fetal and adult erythrocytes and might be a target for the maternal immune system.

Optimized atomic absorption spectrophotometry of calcium in erythrocytes.

We sought to establish optimum conditions for measuring calcium in erythrocytes by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The conditions we selected are as follows. Wash one volume of fresh heparin-treated packed cells once with 30 volumes of isotonic buffered saline (pH 7.4) at a temperature somewhat exceeding 25 degrees C. Dilute the washed packed cells 10-fold with 12 mmol/L hydrochloric acid, and analyze the supernate for calcium. Measure the hematocrit of the washed packed cells, then analyze an aliquot of them for calcium, using a computer-readout type of flame or a non-flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a pyrocoated graphite tube. The temperature program is 1000 degrees C for ashing [corrected] and 1800 degrees C for the atomizing cycle. Intraday and day-to-day reproducibility of the assay was 6.55% and 8.19%, respectively, at the mean concentration of calcium in the erythrocytes of healthy adults, which is 4.30 mumol/L.

Viscoelasticity of packed erythrocyte suspensions subjected to low amplitude oscillatory deformation

Concentrated adult erythrocyte suspensions were subjected to low amplitude oscillatory shear in a Weissenberg rheogoniometer equipped with a cone-and-plate assembly. The dynamic viscoelastic properties of the suspension were measured over a broad range of frequency by a numerical solution that accounted for fluid inertia. Variation of shear amplitude and cell volume percent, and comparison of buffered saline, plasma, and dextran as suspending media showed that the cellular elements had undergone small bending and shearing deformations. Studies of normal adult erythrocytes, hypotonically swollen cells, temperature-altered cells, and erythrocyte ghosts suggested that the method was evaluating membrane material properties. The normal membrane was found to exhibit a shear rate dependent elastic modulus that increased by more than a factor of 20 over a frequency range from 0.0076 Hz to 60 Hz. The membrane viscosity showed a substantial drop with frequency indicative of a frequency thinning phenomenon. At high frequency of deformation the viscous response of normal erythrocytes was no longer indicative of a membrane property due to the dominant influence of the internal hemoglobin solution. The studies generally supported the ability of the method to quantify relative membrane material properties and detect changes in membrane structure.

Analysis of the tissue-specific enhancer at the 3' end of the chicken adult beta-globin gene.

In an earlier paper we identified a tissue-specific enhancer in the 3' flanking region of the chicken adult beta-globin gene. In this paper we analyze the properties of this enhancer. Deletion analysis and transient expression assays show that the domain responsible for activation of transcription is at most 136 base pairs long. Specific factors that bind to discrete sequences within the enhancer DNA are found in extracts of embryonic and adult erythrocytes and in brain. These factors are specific for the tissue or the erythrocyte developmental stage and protect at least five discrete regions in or near the enhancer against DNase I digestion in "footprinting" experiments. Four of these regions reside wholly within the 136-base-pair functional enhancer domain, which also comprises a site in chromatin that is hypersensitive to nucleases. The nature of the binding sites and the program of appearance of the factors during development suggest that a subset of these interactions may be responsible for the developmental specificity of the enhancer.