On the nature of the transport pathway used for Ca-dependent K movement in human red blood cells.

This paper is concerned with the mechanism by which energy-depleted human red cells become permeable to K (but not to Na) when they are exposed to Ca. In an attempt to distinguish a diffusion from a mediated process competitive type effects of different ions and their sidedness of action on K transport are considered as well as the action of certain transport inhibitors. While the nature of the interactions implies the involvement of a mediated process (perhaps an altered form of the Na:K pump apparatus) more direct evidence will be needed to make a definitive assessment.