Defined rearrangement of the membrane of banked erythrocytes.

Segregation of integrated proteins, detachment of actin and spectrin from cytoplasmic aspect as well as decomposition of phospholipids may cause the release of vesicles from spicula of banked erythrocytes. The findings provide evidence for a mechanism of plasmalemmal rearrangement, because a clear distinction between the protein composition of the vesicle membrane and of the erythrocyte plasmalemma could be shown. The vesiculation mechanism is discussed.