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. 1972 Oct 1;60(4):406–429. doi: 10.1085/jgp.60.4.406

Some Kinetic and Metabolic Characteristics of Calcium-Induced Potassium Transport in Human Red Cells

Floyd M Kregenow 1, Joseph F Hoffman 1
PMCID: PMC2226081  PMID: 5074809

Abstract

When fresh human erythrocytes or their ghosts are incubated with Ca + IAA (iodoacetic acid) + adenosine, K permeability increases; K permeability also increases when energy-depleted cells or their ghosts are incubated with Ca alone. Na transport decreases or remains unaltered in both situations. The Ca-induced increase in K permeability in the depleted cell system is qualitatively similar to that seen in the fresh cell system and furnishes a means for studying the metabolic dependence of calcium's action. Studies with the depleted system suggest that the normal refractiveness of the cell to calcium is provided by a metabolically dependent substrate. Removal of this substrate allows Ca to enter the cell and exert its effect. By using 47Ca, a maximum value was obtained (3–7 x 10-6 moles/liter of red blood cells) for the quantity of calcium that is taken up by the cell and responsible for the change in K permeability. Measurements of the unidirectional fluxes of K, obtained during the time Ca increases K permeability, appear to satisfy the flux ratio equation for passive diffusion through a membrane.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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