The Journal of Cell Biology, Vol 91, 884-888, Copyright © 1981 by The Rockefeller University Press
Control of the erythrocyte membrane shape: recovery from the effect of crenating agents
E Alhanaty and MP Sheetz
Intact erythrocytes become immediately crenated upon addition of 2,4-
dinitrophenol (DNP) or pyrenebutyric acid (PBA). However, when cells are
incubated at 37 degrees C in the presence of the crenating agents with
glucose, they gradually (4--8 h) recover the normal biconcave disc form.
The recovery process does not reflect a gradual inactivation of DNP or PBA
since fresh cells are equally crenated by the supernatant from the
recovered cells. Further, after recovery and removal of the crenating
agents, cells are found to be desensitized to the readdition of DNP as well
as to the addition of PBA, but they are more sensitive to cupping by
chlorpromazine. This alteration in the cell membrane responsiveness was
reversible upon further incubation in the absence of DNP. Recovery is
dependent upon cellular metabolic state since an energy source is needed
and incubation with guanosine but not adenosine will accelerate conversion
to the disc shape. It is suggested that the conversion of cells from
crenated to disc shape in the presence of the crenators, represents an
alteration or rearrangement of membrane components rather than a
redistribution of the crenators within the membrane. This shape recovery
process may be important for erythrocyte shape preservation as well as
shape control in other cells.
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