The nature of the Ca2+-pump defect in the red blood cells of patients with cystic fibrosis.

The reduction in (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity in the cystic fibrosis red blood cells can be attributed to a reduction in the number of active Ca2+ pumps per red blood cell and an altered interaction of calcium ions with the pump. Despite this, the normal free intracellular [Ca2+] is preserved due to a lower rate of passive calcium entry.