Phosphorylation of human erythrocyte membrane protein. Differences according to the assay procedure.

Phosphorylation of the human erythrocyte membrane proteins by gamma (32P) ATP was studied at pH 6 and pH 7.4, at 30 degrees C, with incubation times varying from 5 to 90 minutes, and with or without cyclic AMP. Incorporated radioactivity was much higher at pH 7.4 because of the prevalent activity of cAMP independent protein-kinase. Maximum incorporation was obtained in both pH after 30-45 minutes incubation, thereafter incorporated radioactivity was either stable or decreased. The part of the radioactivity due to cAMP stimulation was low and seems constant with the incubation time. Analysis of the substrates showed the predominant cAMP independent protein kinase activity in the phosphorylation of the spectrin second component and component III and that of cAMP dependent activity in the phosphorylation of component II4, IV5 and other minor bands.