Consequences of the presence of elongated variant of the major transmembrane protein (Band 3 protein) in the human erythrocyte

Among 56 persons studied, 6 were heterozygous with respect to the elongated variant of the Band 3 protein (anion transporting protein) of the erythrocyte membranes. Erythrocytes containing the variant Band 3 protein did not exhibit morphologic abnormalities, alterations in electron spin resonance spectra of malei-mide-spin labeled membranes, in the rate of membrane 'self-digestion' or in chloride permeability. They did however show an increased membrane binding of hemoglobin and aldolase.