Molecular basis of erythrocyte membrane disorders.

Disorders of the erythrocyte membrane, such as hereditary spherocytosis, hereditary elliptocytosis, and hereditary pyropoikilocytosis, are characterized by heterogeneity in their clinical and laboratory manifestations. Recent work has shown that these disorders also exhibit marked genetic heterogeneity. Multiple genetic loci have been implicated, and various genetic defects, including gene deletions, point mutations, and defects in mRNA processing, have been described.