Deoxygenation-Induced Cation Fluxes in Sickle Cells: 11. Inhibition by Stilbene Disulfonates

Deoxygenation-induced cation movements in sickle cells were inhibited 80% to 85% by the anion transport inhibitor, 4,4’-diisothiocyano-2,2’disulfostilbene (DIDS). Morphologic sickling was not altered by DlDS treatment, demonstrating that morphologic sickling was not sufficient to produce cation leaks in sickle cells. DlDS inhibition of deoxygenationinduced cation flux was not affected when Ireplaced CI-, indicating that conductive anion movements did not limit cation flux in deoxygenated cells treated with DIDS. Inhibition was irreversible after preincubation with DlDS at 37°C for 20 minutes, and was not affected by the oxygenation state of cells at the time of drug exposure. Sulfate self-exchange was inhibited at lower DlDS concentrations than was deoxygenation-induced flux. Incubation of cells with DlDS at 4°C produced progressive blockade of sulfate