Electrophoresis of lymphoid cells. Differences in the cell membrane structure of murine thymocytes, T and B cells revealed by enzyme and formalin treatment.

Low concentrations of protease and trypsin reduced the electrophoretic mobility (EPM) of thymocytes; with higher concentrations it was normal or above. Differences in membrane structure of thymocytes, T and B cells was found as B cells showed no reduction while T cells gave intermediate values. Further the reduction was greater with protease than with trypsin. Formalin fixation increased the EPM of all normal cell types to a similar degree. The EPM of proteolytically treated thymocytes and B cells was increased to a similar level and to a greater degree than neuraminidase-treated thymocytes. Small amounts of sialic acid were detected in the supernatant after proteolytic treatment of thymocytes. Protease reduced the binding of anti-lymphocyte serum, while no definite effect was obtained with trypsin. Neither sublytic doses of phospholipase C nor ribonuclease appeared to change the EPM.