The expression of optimum ATPase activities in human erythrocytes. A comparison of different lytic procedures.

The exposure of the Na⁺/K⁺/Mg²⁺- and Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-stimulated ATPase activities in human erythrocytes through the use of several different lytic procedures revealed significant variations in the level of activity. Density (age)-separated as well as mixed-age human erythrocytes were subjected to hemolysis in isotonic buffer using saponin or ethylene glycol, to hemolysis in hypotonie buffer using low osmolarity buffers, or to freeze-thaw to allow potential accessibility to the ATPases. The results ranged from maximum exposure of both types of ATPases in saponin-treated cells, to little or no exposure of activity in ethylene glycol-treated cells, to variable responses in membranes derived by hypotonie hemolysis. The inability to elicit maximum exposure of ATPases in young cells by the freeze-thaw treatment was reversed by the use of saponin lysis in isotonic medium. These results illustrate the importance of the lytic conditions of membrane preparations on the recovery of as well as exposure to ATPase activities. It is concluded that saponin lysis in isotonic buffer medium is the preferred lytic technique for preparation of membranes retaining significant levels of the Na⁺/K⁺/Mg²⁺- and Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-stimulated ATPases. These data are also discussed in reference to the degree of retention of the activator protein for the $\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}$ ATPase system.