Uptake of lysolecithin and other lysins by rat erythrocytes.

Lysis of rat erythrocytes by lysolecithin, palmitoyl carnitine and palmitoyl choline is inhibited by albumin and by certain lipids. Albumin rapidly forms a complex with the lysins thereby decreasing their reactivity with erythrocytes. Lecithin and cholesterol are lysis inhibitors that do not prevent the uptake of lysins but decrease their interactions with structural elements of the red cell membrane.