[The expression of p97 on the membrane of the reticulocyte and the role in iron uptake in rabbit].

AIM

To investigate the expression of p97 on the membrane of the reticulocyte and the possible role in non-transferrin bound iron uptake.

METHODS

The SDS-PAGE and the radioisotope (59Fe) was used in this investigation.

RESULTS

(1) The protein of the supernatant of reticulocytes was separated on SDS-PAGE. There was one band near 97kDa. The same result was obtained with reticulocytes treated with PI-PLC and the Mean OD of the band was higher than that of untreated reticulocytes. But for the mature erythrocytes, there wasn't apparent band near 97kD. (2) No apparent effect of only PI-PLC treatment on iron uptake by reticulocytes (P > 0.05). Reticulocytes, depleted endogenous-transferrin and then treated by PI-PLC, gave a significant decrease in iron uptake in cytosol and in heme (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results support the possibility that p97 might be able to be expressed on the membrane of reticulocytes and plays a role in non-transferrin bound iron uptake by this type of cells in rabbit.