Alteration in erythrocyte membrane structure in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Freeze-fracture studies of erythrocytes from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy revealed depletion of particles on both fracture faces of the plasma membrane. This study indicates that the structure of the erythrocyte plasma membrane is abnormal in Duchenne dystrophy and supports the concept that a generalized membrane abnormality is present in this disease.