Torin and cylindrin, two extrinsic proteins of the erythrocyte membrane: a review.

This review integrates the work of the author with that of others who have studied these proteins. the discovery, release, localization, and purification of cylindrin and torin are considered in depth and the available evidence for their biochemical characterization is presented. The electron microscopy of torin and cylindrin, which throughout their study has been of prime significance, is expanded in a section dealing with the interpretation of the negatively stained images and the production of paracrystalline arrays. The functional activity for torin and cylindrin is discussed and possible future lines of investigation are presented.