Zinc deficiency and the physical state of rat erythrocyte membrane proteins

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin-labeling techniques were employed to investigate the effects of both phytate- and deprivation-induced zinc deficiency on the physical state of rat erythrocyte membrane skeletal proteins. A recent report [Kubow and Bettger, Can J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 66:66, 1988] indicated that unusually large increases in membrane skeletal protein motion occurred in zinc deficiency. Because these increases were among the largest alterations reported in zinc deficiency and among the largest published values of the relevant EPR parameter in spin-labeled membranes, we felt it important to confirm these results. In the present study, no differences in membrane skeletal protein motion were observed between zinc-deficient and control samples regardless of the method used to produce zinc deficiency.