Effect of peroxynitrite on erythrocytes.

ABSTRACT

The action of peroxynitrite on human erythrocytes and erythrocyte membranes was studied. Peroxynitrite (0.1-2 mM) induced a transient decrease of intracellular reduced glutathione, oxidized membrane protein -SH groups, initiated membrane lipid peroxidation and inactivated erythrocyte membrane acetylcholinesterase and ATPase activities. Membranes exposed to peroxynitrite showed aggregation and nitration of proteins and changes in protein organization detectable with a maleimide spin label.