Erythrocyte membrane autophosphorylation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: effect of two methods of erythrocyte ghost preparation on results.

We have compared the effects of two slightly different methods of erythrocyte ghost preparation on membrane autophosphorylation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Addition of 1 mmol/l EDTA to two of the washing steps altered the differences between patients and controls. These data support the known sensitive interrelationship of Ca2+ and erythrocyte membrane autophosphorylation, underline the importance of strict adherence to methodology when comparing data, and have suggested a new direction of investigation.