Chromate effects on red cells membranes.

The modification of human erythrocyte membrane proteins by chromate previously had been investigated by kinetic (4) and electrophoretic techniques (5). In the Coulter Counter we now observed that chromate (10 mM) caused an increase in the intracellular resistivity but also an augmentation of the critical voltage where the membrane resistance breaks down owing to electroporation. Furthermore, a slight chromate-induced augmentation of echinocyte shape was observed. Also, chromate causes the intracellular pH to shift to higher values.