Membrane-associated protease activity of human erythrocytes.

ABSTRACT

Membrane-associated protease activity capable of digesting a number of membrane cytoskeletal proteins including band 3 protein was identified in human erythrocytes, almost totally free from contaminating leucocytes and platelets. This enzyme was inhibited by aprotinin (a specific inhibitor for a class of serine protease) and was distinct from the cytosolic calcium-dependent thiol protease (calpain), which is also known to bind to red cell membrane.