Abstract

ESR spectra of erythrocyte membranes labeled with a maleimide spin label (MSL) show two types of label environment: a weakly immobilized component and a strongly immobilized component. Chlorpromazine (CPZ) markedly altered the spectra: at pH 8.0, 3 mM CPZ reduced the amplitude of the spectrum by 40%, and the weakly immobilized component was almost completely removed. In order to clarify the mechanisms of these spectral changes the protein release from erythrocyte membranes induced by CPZ has been followed. CPZ had a weak solubilizing effect on erythrocyte membranes: less than 1% of the membrane protein was released, mainly Band 6. By comparison with the protein release induced by low-salt treatment it was found that the "detergent-like" property of CPZ cannot explain the alterations in the ESR spectra. The nature of the spectral changes induced by CPZ was different from that of changes induced by lowering the pH to 4.5; correlated with other data this shows that changes in organization or conformation of membrane protein cannot explain the CPZ-induced alterations in the ESR spectra. These spectral changes appeared to be due to the reduction by CPZ of the nitroxide free radical. This was documented by the marked reduction of spin concentration of the labeled ghosts in the presence of CPZ resulting in a decrease in amplitude of the ESR spectrum of MSL-labeled erythrocyte ghosts induced by CPZ. The reduction by CPZ of the nitroxide free radical was compared with that induced by ascorbate. It was found that CPZ preferentially reduces the mobile component of the ESR spectrum of MSL-labeled ghosts. The action of CPZ in reducing free radicals may have consequences for patients receiving long-term treatment with phenothiazine derivatives.