[Change in erythrocyte volume and spectrum of membrane proteins induced by melittin, phospholipase A2 and bee venom].

Human erythrocytes and erythrocyte ghost membranes were treated with melittin (M), phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and whole bee venom. Treatment by whole bee venom or M + PLA2 resulted in a significant decrease of the cell volume, cell spherulation and hemolysis. Used separately, M produced an increase in the cell volume during hemolysis, while treatment with PLA2 stimulated M-induced hemolysis without any effect on the cell shape or volume even at relatively high concentrations. Combined action of M and other agents revealed: stimulation of M-induced hemolysis by Triton X-100 used at concentrations by two orders of magnitude lower than lytic concentrations; saponin acted similarly but at concentrations closer to those known to lyse cells: chlorpromazine inhibited the hemolysis at sublytic concentrations. The effects of these agents on M-induced hemolysis was unaccompanied by a decrease in the cell volume. Erythrocytes or ghosts treated with M + PLA2 or bee venom showed altered SDS-electrophoretic protein patterns: bands 6 and 8 were markedly reduced, while new bands of relatively low molecular weights were identified. The absence of volume or protein pattern changes during detergent-stimulated M-induced hemolysis points to the specificity of M-membrane interactions in the presence of PLA2.