Abstract:
The membrane phospholipid organisation in the red cells of humans suffering
from chronic myeloid leukaemia has been analysed using the amino-group labelling reagent trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid and the nuid-sensing nuorophore, Merocyanine 540. Unlike
the normal human erythrocytes, trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid in intact chronic myeloid
leukaemia erythrocytes modified about 30% phosphatidylserine, under controlled
conditions. Also, the chronic myeloid laukaemia red cells, but not the normal cells, were
found to bind the nuorescent dye Merocyanine 540. These results demonstrate that loss of
the transmembrane phospholipid asymmetry in chronic myeloid leukaemia erythrocytes is
accompanied by an enhancement in the outer surface nuidity and, therefore. suggest that the
red cells membrane phase-state asymmetry originates probably from the asymmetric arrangements
of phospholipids across the membrane bilayer.
