Anion exchanger 1 (band 3) is required to prevent erythrocyte membrane surface loss but not to form the membrane skeleton

The function of the red blood cell anion exchanger, AE1, in in vivo RBC development is investigated by gene targeting. Specifically, null mutation in mice is carried out by targeted gene disruption in embryonic stem cells. The hematological effects of AE1 deletion do not affect fetal loss of homozygotes. Instances of survival to adulthood and fertility are even reported. Results suggest that AE1 is vital to membrane lipid stability but its plasma membrane localization is not required for either terminal RBC differentiation or membrane skeleton assembly.