Dynamic changes of red cell membrane thiol groups followed by bimane fluorescent labeling

Monobromobimane labels red cell membrane protein thiol groups; bands exhibit fluorescence after sodium dodecyl sulfate acrylamide gel electrophoresis and correspond to almost all of those staining with Coomassie blue. The response of membrane protein thiol groups to oxidative challenge and the dynamics of recovery of the thiol groups may be followed. Diminished labeling is found after oxidation with diamide, with both intrachain and interchain disulfide bond formation demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulfate acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Regeneration of thiol groups under physiological conditions (incubation with glucose) after a moderate degree of diamide oxidation is shown to be complete (with respect to thiol group content and degree and distribution of bimane label) in normal human red blood cell membranes. Even after oxidation of almost half of the membrane protein thiol groups (maximum degree of oxidation achieved), regeneration of thiol groups is almost complete; a minor fraction resides in the form of disulfide-linked high molecular weight proteins (demonstrated by the electrophoretic profile) which may be reduced completely with dithiothreitol. Bimane fluorescent labeling provides a convenient and sensitive method for following membrane thiol group status under physiological conditions.