A spin label study of human erythrocyte ghost membranes damaged by methyl phenyldiazenecarboxylate (azoester)

The mechanism of methyl phenyldiazenecarboxylate (azoester) damage to human erythrocyte membranes has been investigated by means of spin labels. Azoester treatment exposed protein binding sites for non-covalently bound stearic acid and androstane spin labels that were occult in the untreated membrane. Experiments with iodoacetamide and N-alkylmaleimide spin labels suggested that azoester destroyed membrane sulfhydryl groups. No change in the structural integrity of membrane lipid components could be detected.