Model for role of cytoplasmic domain of band 3 protein in regulation of membrane extensional rigidity

Conformation of the cytoplasmic domain of normal band 3 (panel A) offers little resistance to the extension of spectrin tetramers during membrane deformation. By contrast, the conformationally altered cytoplasmic domain of mutated band 3 (panel B), by getting entangled in the spectrin network, sterically hinders the extension of spectrin tetramers. For reasons of clarity, not all of the individual components of the skeletal network have been delineated.