Effect of pH and proton buffer on oscillations of ion fluxes in rat erythrocytes.

The pH-dependence of ionophore-induced oscillations of transmembrane H+ and K+ fluxes in rat erythrocytes has been studied. It is stated that the oscillations are strongly depressed at pH lower than 6.9 and higher than 7.3. Proton buffers of different nature (Tris/HCl, Mops and glycylglycine) are shown to effectively inhibit the oscillatory process. The significance of H+ concentration in unstirred layers adjacent to the membrane in the mechanism of oscillations is suggested.