Fluidity alterations induced by chemical modification of erythrocyte membrane proteins.

Using EPR technique we have examined the effect of chemical agents on pig erythrocyte membranes. Treatment of the erythrocyte membranes with SH-oxidizing and denaturing or specific for amino groups reagents affects both the membrane proteins and lipids. These results suggest that modified proteins may perturb the interactions of the membrane components and lead to alterations of the membrane organization in the polar region.