The association of human erythrocyte catalase with the cell membrane

A specific interaction of human erythrocyte catalase with the inner surface of the red cell membrane was demonstrated. The dependency of catalase affinity on pH and ionic strength implies that the interaction is dominated by electrostatic forces. Scatchard analysis of the binding at pH 6.0 and 5 mm Mes buffer reveals a single class of approximately 10⁶ binding sites/ghost with an association constant of 2.5 × 10⁷ m^-1. The membrane-bound catalase retains its enzymatic activity. Competition binding studies of catalase and other proteins known to associate with the membrane inner surface were carried out. It was found that the binding of catalase is inhibited by aldolase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase as well as by hemoglobin. The advantage of membrane-bound catalase in protection of the cell membrane against peroxidative damages is discussed.