EFFECT OF THIOL MODIFICATION ON THE THERMAL-STABILITY OF ERYTHROCYTE-MEMBRANES

1. The effect of chemical modification of membrane proteins on the hea t response of erythrocytes has been studied. 2. Erythrocytes preincuba ted with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) or p-chloromercuribenzoicacid (pCMB), followed by heating at temperatures above 44 degrees C, indicated a de creased thermal stability. 3. The action of pCMB is much more toxic to erythrocytes than the effect of NEM. 4. These results suggest that mo dification of proteins by SH reagents could be responsible for changes in the structural integrity of pig erythrocyte plasma membrane leadin g to their reduced thermal stability.