"Are the active sites of the (Na+ + K+) activated ATPase and the acetylcholinesterase of the plasma membrane on the same peptide chain?"

Specificity of biophysical and biochemical alterations in erythrocyte membranes in neurological disorders--Huntington's disease, Friedreich's ataxia, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and myotonic and duchenne muscular dystrophy

Previous studies in our laboratory had demonstrated alterations in the physical state of membrane proteins in erythrocytes in Huntington's disease. In order to assess the specificity of our findings, the results of electron spin resonance studies of protein and lipid components, scanning electron-microscopic studies, enzymatic analyses of membrane-bound sodium plus potassium stimulated, magnesium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase and protein kinase, and cell deformability studies of erythrocyte membranes have been performed in the neurological disorders, Huntington's disease, Friedreich's ataxia, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and myotonic and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Comparison of the results revealed that alterations in the biophysical and biochemical states of erythrocyte membranes in each disorder are specific to the particular disease state with the exception of those in Friedreich's ataxia and Alzheimer's disease. In the latter instance, the clinical and pathological alterations suggest that these two diseases have different primary defects. Our studies suggest that the molecular basis of each disease is different. In addition, the results suggest that biophysical and biochemical investigations of extraneural tissue in Huntington's disease and other neurological disordes have the potential of clarifying the molecular mechanisms by which these diseases arise.

Spin label and biochemical studies of erythrocyte membranes in Alzheimer's disease

Electron spin resonance, enzymatic, and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic investigations of erythrocyte membranes from patients with Alzheimer's disease were performed. Alterations in the physical state of membrane proteins in Alzheimer's disease erythrocytes were found by spin labeling studies. However, no alterations in membrane lipid fluidity or in the activities of membrane-bound sodium plus potassium-stimulated, magnesium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase or acetylcholinesterase could be demonstrated. Also, no changes in staining profiles of AD erythrocyte membrane proteins subjected to electrophoresis were observed. The altered conformation and/or organization of extraneural membrane proteins in Alzheimer's disease suggests the possibility that this disorder may have more widespread membrane involvement than was originally thought.