Cystic fibrosis--V. Does cystic fibrosis alter the values of dynamic parameters of erythrocyte membrane ghosts?

1. The dynamic properties of erythrocyte membranes in CF children have been investigated by means of fluorescence and ESR techniques. 2. It has been revealed that the apparent distance separating the membrane protein tryptophan and bound 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulphonate (ANS) molecules is decreased in CF children which results in a significant increase of the maximum energy transfer efficiency. 3. The slight increase in the ratio hw/hs of maleimide bound to membrane protein-SH groups of erythrocytes in cystic fibrosis may ensue the lowered membrane protein immobilization in the plane of lipid bilayer, especially at the intrinsic, more slowly reacting thiol groups.