A Red Cell Membrane Protein Abnormality in Hereditary Spherocytosis

Summary. Dilute acetic acid and n‐butanol were used to solubilize red cell membrane protein from patients with hereditary spherocytosis and normal subjects. Electrophoresis of acetic‐acid‐solubilized membrane protein on urea‐starch and polyacrylamide gel revealed a constant absence of one band in the protein of hereditary spherocytosis cells. Red cells from a variety of other haematological disorders were also studied. All but one of the disorders examined demonstrated an electrophoretic pattern identical to that of normal cells, the exception being that of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in which the pattern was similar to that of hereditary spherocytosis. Electrophoretic studies using sulphydryl binding and reducing agents suggest that the membrane protein abnormality in hereditary spherocytosis is linked to thiol groups in the membrane. 1972 Blackwell Publishing Ltd