Catalase activity in the red cell ghost of hypocatalasemia and normal subject. I. Catalase in the red cell ghost of hypocatalasemia and normal subject

An attempt was made to find out the nature of catalase coritained in the red cell, especially in the ghost, For this the red cell ghost isolated were washed several times with CO2-saturated water or deionized water and the catalase activity per gram protein of the ghost was estimated. It was found that despite several washings, the catalase activity/gram protein of the ghost do not decrease as compared with the activity of the original red cell solution, indicating the presence of catalase in the ghost. In the case of hypocatalasemic blood the catalase activity in the ghost shows similar behaviors as with normal blood cells. It is assumed theoretically that there are two kinds of catalase having different affinity to the red cell ghost. Namely, one that is readily released from the ghost and the other that has a strong affinity. The affinity of hypocatalasemic blood to the ghost seems to be somewhat weaker.