The distribution and aggregatability of intramembrane particles in phenylhydrazine-treated human erythrocytes.

Freeze-fracture analysis of phenylhydrazine-treated, unfixed human erythrocytes showed a random distribution of intramembrane particles both over membrane-bound Heinz-bodies and in the intervening areas when examined after fast freezing in liquid propane. The same results was obtained when unfixed, glycerinated red cells were frozen in liquid Freon. In contrast to previously published data (Low et al. (1985) Science 227, 531-533) these results indicate that binding of Heinz-bodies to the red cell membrane cannot cause morphologically detectable clustering of Band 3 in phenylhydrazine-treated red cells. Over numerous Heinz-bodies a decreased Acridine orange-induced particle aggregation was observed. The phenomenon of the oxidant-induced red cell fluorescence is described.