Phosphate transfer in chicken erythrocytes.

Chicken erythrocytes centrifuged at 1300 g for 1 hour trap plasma to the extent of 7.8% of their apparent volume. The rate of P 32 transfer is not directly proportional to the cell volume in chicken blood but an empirical formula is given for correcting observed rates to a standard hematocrit of 30%. P 32 transfer is slower in chicken blood than in human blood although glucose utilization is higher in chicken blood. P 32 transfer in chicken blood has the characteristics of a first-order process and a study of the rates at different temperatures suggested that the process is chemical in nature but different from the corresponding process in human blood. P 32 transfer in chicken erythrocytes is inhibited, but not completely, by monoiodoacetate, sodium fluoride, sodium azide, sodium orthoarsenate, or lack of oxygen. Dinitrophenol has no effect. Complete inhibition was not observed when inhibitors were combined to block both aerobic and anaerobic metabolism. It is concluded that energy for phosphate transfer in chicken erythrocytes is provided by glycolysis as well as oxidative reactions and possibly other metabolic pathways.