The role of Mg++-ATPase (actomyosin-like protein) in maintaining the biconcave shape of erythrocytes.

Chemically different substances known to change the Mg++-ATPase activity in the red cell membrane, likewise alter the red cell shape. Normal human red cells retain their biconcave shape only when the activity of this enzyme remains unchanged. The present work deals with the possibility that Mg++-ATPase may cause certain tension in the membrane responsible for the biconcave shape of the erythrocyte.