The Molecular Species Composition of Phosphatidyicholine Affects Cellular Properties in Normal and Sickle Erythrocytes

The phosphatidylcholine specific transfer protein (PCTP) from bovine liver was used to retailor the molecular species composition of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the membrane of normal (AA) and sickleable (SS) human erythrocytes. Changes in molecular species composition of PC altered morphology as well as cellular deformability and stability as measured with ektacytometry. In normal cells. replacement of native PC with 1 -palmitoyl.2-arachidonoyl PC (PAPC) resulted in a decrease in osmotic fragility with no change in hydration. whereas replacement with 1.2dipalmitoyl PC (DPPC) led to an increased osmotic fragility and cellular hydration. Replacement of native PC by 1 -palmitoyl.2-oleoyl PC (POPC) in normal cells had no