Membrane self-digestion during erythrocyte storage.

The effect of storage of erythrocytes (in vitro aging) on the self-digestion of erythrocyte membrane proteins was studied by analysis of membrane protein electropherograms. Incubation of bovine erythrocytes in medium 199 for 7 to 31 days resulted in a progressive decrease in the self-digestion rate of band 3 and a less regular decrease in the rate of self-digestion of spectrin. This effect may be explained as a result of a decrease of membrane protease activity and an increase in the proteolytic susceptibility of membrane proteins.