抄録
We propose a method for evaluating the energetics of inter-protein bonds in the cytoskeleton of a Red Blood Cell from measurements of the strength of attachment between cyctoskeleton and the tip of an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) probe when subjected to tensile loading. Comparison of the results of a stochastic analysis with the experimental data distribution suggests that 5-6 spectrin tetramers, equivalent to a single actin node, typically attach to the probe. In future, this may allow the AFM to become a useful tool for direct measurement of bonding energetics within an intact RBC structure.
