Induced synthesis of albumin-like protein in damaged rat reticulocytes

In this study, we present evidence that red blood cell (RBC) membrane p68 i n the Belgrade (b/b) rat is similar if not identical to rat serum albumin ( RSA). Structural homology between RSA and the RBC p68 has been determined b y a variety of biochemical and immunological criteria. This albumin-like pr otein is a normal constituent of rat RBC and it is partially exported by ex osomes during erythroid differentiation. The endogenous origin of rat RBC a lbumin-like protein was demonstrated by monitoring protein synthesis in ret iculocytes and by identification of reticulocyte mRNA for albumin. Haemolyt ic anaemia, either hereditary (b/b rat) or drug-induced (phenylhydrazine-tr eated normal rat), results in increased accumulation of the albumin-like pr otein in rat RBCs as a result of its induced synthesis.