Restriction of ankyrin of band 3 rotational mobility in human erythrocyte membranes and reconstituted lipid vesicles

The importance of ankyrin and band 4.1 in restricting band 3 rotational mobility was determined through fluorescence binding assay of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled ankyrin. Results have shown that ankyrin induces the association of band 3 into more slowly rotating complexes autonomous of any other components of the erythrocyte membrane. Furthermore, membrane fluidity and protein concentration also determine the band 3 reconstitution.