Human red blood cells from prenatal hemopoiesis. Lithium flux (sodium dependent) asymmetry

In red cells from umbilical cord blood it has been referred the existence o f lithium fluxes (contralateral sodium dependent) asymmetry. On account of the relevancy of this transport system in some pathologies it is pertinent the study of its kinetics to relate normal with pathological states in which it is affected. Lithium fluxes - contralateral sodium dependent were determined in N-ethylm aleimide treated neonatal red blood cells. Experimental data were fitted by simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics, finding Km and Vmax variables. It was sh own the persistency of asymmetry. The independence of sulfhydryl groups (or the occultation of the groups involved to this inhibitor) could explain as ymmetry persistence.