Senescent cell antigen, band 3, and band 3 mutations in cellular aging.

As part of our ongoing studies on mechanisms of cellular aging, we searched for "experiments of nature" that might provide insights into the process of normal cellular aging. Our search for band 3 protein alterations resulted in the discovery of three different ones. A band 3 alteration that results from an addition to band 3 does not alter red cell lifespan or produce clinical disease. In contrast, two band 3 alterations that are associated with band 3 aging and/or degradation are characterized by shortened red cell lifespan and clinical diseases.