Characterization of brain D2 dopamine receptors

In order to characterize and partially purify solubilized dopamine receptors, canine brain striatum microsomes were solubilized with 1% digitonin, and enriched by either gel permeation chromatography, preparative vertical column isoelectric focusing, or sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. Chromatography on Sephacryl S-300 in buffer (contaning 0.05% Triton X-100) yielded a Stokes radius of 5.8 nm. Isoelectric focusing of the solubilized, radiolabelled receptor produced peaks of [³H]spiperone radioactivity corresponding to isoelectric values of 5.0 and 7.8, of which the former has been shown elsewhere to be the intact D₂ dopamine receptor. Sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation, again in buffer containing 0.05% Triton X-100, indicated a hydrodynamic mol. wt of 136,000 Daltons, which corresponds closely to the value of 123,000 Daltons estimated using radiation inactivation. Such molecular characterization will aid in the distinction of dopamine receptor subtypes.