Identification and cellular distribution of distinct proteins forming human GM-CSF receptor.

Two proteins forming the receptor for human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)1 were identified and characterized. One with apparent Mr of about 80,000 was defined as alpha-chain and has Kd of 0.7-2.8 nM. The other binding molecule with apparent Mr of about 135,000 was defined as beta-chain and is related to the high-affinity binding with Kd of 10-40 pM. The binding kinetic studies confirmed that the 125I-GM-CSF associated slower to and dissociated more rapidly from the alpha-chain than the beta-chain. The alpha-chain is expressed not only on hemopoietic cells but also on full-term placental tissues, choriocarcinoma cells, and other solid tumor cells. In contrast, the distribution of the beta-chain is restricted on hemopoietic cells. The alpha-chain probably corresponds to the low-affinity GM-CSF receptor whose cDNA has been cloned and sequenced.     

Affinity purification of pancreastatin receptor-Gq/11 protein complex from rat liver membranes

Pancreastatin, a chromogranin A derived peptide, exerts a glycogenolytic effect on the hepatocyte. This effect is initiated by binding to membrane receptors which are coupled to pertussis toxin insensitive G proteins belonging to the Gq/11 family. We have recently solubilized active pancreastatin receptors from rat liver membranes still functionally coupled to G proteins. Here, we have purified pancreastatin receptors by a two-step procedure. First, pancreastatin receptors with their associated Gq/11 regulatory proteins were purified from liver membranes by lectin absorption chromatography on wheat germ agglutinin immobilized on agarose. A biotinylated rat pancreastatin analog was tested for binding to liver membranes before using it for affinity purification. Unlabeled biotinylated rat pancreastatin competed for 125I-labeled [Tyr0]PST binding to solubilized receptors with a Kd = 0.27 nM, comparable to that of native pancreastatin. The biotinylated analog was immobilized on streptavidin-coated Sepharose beads and used to further affinity purify wheat germ agglutinin eluted receptor material. Specific elution at low pH showed that the receptor protein was purified as an 80-kDa protein in association with a G protein of the q/11 family, as demonstrated by specific immunoblot analysis. The specificity of the receptor band was assessed by chemical cross-linking of the purified material followed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. In conclusion, we have purified pancreastatin receptor as a glycoprotein of 80 kDa physically associated with a Gq/11 protein.     

Characterization of the human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor

Human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a cytokine derived from activated T cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages. It stimulates myeloid and erythroid progenitors to form colonies in semisolid medium in vitro, as well as enhancing multiple differentiated functions of mature neutrophils, macrophages, and eosinophils. We have examined the binding of human GM-CSF to a variety of responsive human cells and cell lines. The most mature myelomonocytic cells, specifically human neutrophils, macrophages, and eosinophils, express the highest numbers of a single class of high affinity receptors (Kd approximately 37 pM, 293-1000 sites/cell). HL-60 and KG-1 cells exhibit an increase in specific binding at high concentrations of GM-CSF; computer analysis of the data is nonetheless consistent with a single class of high affinity binding sites with a Kd approximately 43 pM and 20-450 sites/cell. Dimethyl sulfoxide induces a 3-10-fold increase in high affinity receptors expressed in HL-60 cells, coincident with terminal neutrophilic differentiation. Finally, binding of 125I-GM-CSF to fresh peripheral blood cells from six patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia was analyzed. In three of six cases, binding was similar to the nonsaturable binding observed with HL-60 and KG-1 cells. GM-CSF binding was low, or in some cases, undetectable on myeloblasts obtained from eight patients with acute myelogenous leukemia. The observed affinities of the receptor for GM-CSF are consistent with all known biological activities. Affinity labeling of both normal neutrophils and dimethyl sulfoxide-induced HL-60 cells with unglycosylated 125I-GM-CSF yielded a band of 98 kDa, implying a molecular weight of approximately 84,000 for the human GM-CSF receptor.     

Purification of the type II insulin-like growth factor receptor from rat placenta

The membrane receptor for insulin-like growth factor II (IGF II) has been purified to near homogeneity from rat placenta by chromatography of crude plasma membranes solubilized in Triton X-100 on agarose-immobilized IGF II. Elution of the IGF II receptor from the matrix at pH 5.0 in the presence of 1.5 M NaCl resulted in a receptor purification of 1100-fold from isolated plasma membranes, or 340-fold from the Triton extract with an average yield of about 50% in five separate purifications. Analysis of 125I-IGF II binding to the solubilized receptor in the Triton extract and in purified form by the method of Scatchard demonstrated no change in receptor affinity (Kd = 0.72 nM). Sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis of the purified receptor showed one major band at Mr = 250,000 with only minor contamination. Affinity labeling of the receptor in isolated placenta membranes and in purified form using 125I-IGF II and the cross-linking agent disuccinimidyl suberate resulted in covalent labeling of only the Mr = 250,000 band. Such labeling was abolished by unlabeled IGF II but was unaffected by insulin, consistent with the previously reported specificity of IGF II receptor (Massague, J., and Czech, M.P. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 5038-5045). These results establish a one step affinity method for the purification of the type II IGF receptor that is rapid and highly efficient.     

Purification of vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor from porcine liver by a newly designed one-step affinity chromatography

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors were solubilized from porcine liver membrane using the zwitterionic detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonic acid. The solubilized VIP receptor has been purified approximately 50,000-fold to apparent homogeneity by a one-step affinity chromatography using a newly designed VIP-polyacrylamide resin. The purified receptor bound 125I-VIP with a Kd of 22.3 +/- 0.7 nM and retained its peptide specificity toward VIP-related peptides. The specific activity of the purified receptor (16,400 pmol/mg of protein) was very close to the theoretical value (18,900 pmol/mg of protein) calculated assuming one binding site/protein. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of purified receptor revealed a single band with an Mr of 53,000 after either silver staining or radioiodination. Affinity labeling of the purified receptor with 125I-VIP using dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate) gave a single radioactive band, the labeling of which was completely inhibited by an excess of unlabeled VIP. In conclusion, an Mr 53,000 protein containing the VIP-binding site was purified to homogeneity by a one-step affinity chromatography using immobilized VIP.     

Purification of a 130-kDa T cell glycoprotein that binds human interleukin 4 with high affinity

The interleukin 4 (IL-4) receptor was purified from the gibbon T cell line MLA 144. These cells were found to express high numbers of human IL-4-binding proteins (5000-6000 sites/cell) with an affinity constant (Kd) similar to that measured in human cell lines (Kd = 40-70 pM). Affinity cross-linking of 125I-IL-4 to human cell lines and MLA 144 cells demonstrated the labeling of three proteins of approximately 130, 75, and 65 kDa. Human IL-4-binding sites were solubilized from MLA 144 cells using Triton X-100 and then purified by carboxymethyl chromatography, which removed 50% of the protein without loss of IL-4-binding activity. Then sequential affinity purification over wheat germ agglutinin and a single IL-4 Affi-Gel 10 column resulted in a final 8000-fold purification of the IL-4 receptor. When analyzed on a silver-stained sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel, the purified receptor migrated as a single molecular species of 130 +/- 5 kDa. Identification of the 130-kDa protein as the IL-4 receptor was demonstrated by cross-linking experiments and specific binding of 125I-IL-4 to nitrocellulose membranes after electrophoretic transfer of the purified receptor on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel.     

Purification and partial characterization of rat ovarian lutropin receptor

Lutropin (LH) receptor was solubilized from pseudopregnant rat ovaries and purified by two cycles of affinity chromatography on human choriogonadotropin (hCG)-Affi-Gel 10. The purified receptor preparation contained a single class of high-affinity 125I-hCG binding sites with an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 5.1 X 10(-10) M (at 20 degrees C) and had a specific hormone binding capacity of 7920 pmol/mg of protein. The purified receptor migrated as a single 90-kDa band in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under both nonreducing and reducing conditions. Affinity cross-linking of the purified receptor to 125I-hCG produced a 130-kDa complex. Hormone-binding ability of the purified 90-kDa polypeptide was demonstrated also by ligand blotting. The purified receptor was electroblotted onto nitrocellulose after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nonreducing conditions followed by incubation with 125I-hCG. Autoradiography revealed labeling of a 90-kDa band. This labeling was displaced by unlabeled hCG and human LH but not by human follitropin or rat prolactin. In addition, LH receptors of bovine corpora lutea and mouse Leydig tumor cells were shown by ligand blotting to contain a 90-kDa hormone binding unit, suggesting that LH receptor structure is well conserved among mammalian species. The purified rat ovarian LH receptor bound to immobilized wheat germ agglutinin, implying that the receptor is a glycoprotein. These results demonstrate that the hormone-binding unit of rat ovarian LH receptor is a 90-kDa membrane glycopolypeptide.     

Purification of the human placental alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor

The alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor was solubilized from human placental membranes, purified and characterized. Affinity cross-linking of labelled ligand to intact membranes showed a receptor size compatible with 400-500 kDa. The membranes were solubilized in 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]propane sulfonate (CHAPS) and affinity chromatography was performed using Sepharose-immobilized alpha 2-macroglobulin-methylamine with elution in buffer containing 2 mM EDTA, pH 6.0. SDS-PAGE of the resulting receptor preparation showed a predominant approx. 440 kDa band (reducing conditions) and some minor accompanying proteins of 70-90 kDa and 40 kDa. The yield was 400-800 micrograms receptor preparation per placenta. The receptor preparation immobilized on nitrocellulose bound the alpha 2-macroglobulin-trypsin complex with a dissociation constant of about 400 pM. 125I-iodinated receptor preparation bound almost quantitatively to Sepharose-immobilized alpha 2-macroglobulin-methylamine in the presence of CHAPS alone, and bound 70-80% in the presence of 0.2% SDS. The labelled proteins were separated in the presence of 0.2% SDS by gel filtration or SDS-PAGE (unboiled samples). The 440 kDa protein accounted for the major part of the binding, although some approx. 80 kDa proteins, perhaps proteolytic degradation products, also showed binding activity.     

Solubilization and partial purification of somatostatin-28 preferring receptors from hamster pancreatic beta cells.

Somatostatin-28 (SRIF-28) preferring receptors were solubilized from hamster beta cell insulinoma using the zwitterionic detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate. The binding of the iodinated [Leu8-D-TRP22-Tyr25]SRIF-28 analog (referred to as 125I[LWY] SRIF-28) to the solubilized fraction was time-dependent, saturable, and reversible. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding data indicated that the solubilized extract contained two classes of SRIF-28-binding sites: a high affinity site (Kd = 0.3 nM and Bmax = 1 pmol/mg protein) and a low affinity site (Kd = 13 nM and Bmax = 4.7 pmol/mg protein). The binding of 125I[LWY]SRIF-28 to solubilized SRIF-28 receptors was sensitive to the GTP analog guanosine-5'-O-thiotriphosphate, suggesting that receptors are functionally linked to a G-protein. By anion-exchange chromatography of the solubilized extract followed by chromatography on wheat germ agglutinin, a 46-fold purification of SRIF-28 receptors was obtained. At this stage of purification, only high affinity sites were found (Kd = 1 nM) and the GTP effect was not maintained. A specific protein of 37 kDa was identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after photoaffinity labeling. We suggest that this protein is the putative SRIF-28 receptor or a subunit thereof.     

Characterization of the soluble human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor complex.

The human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) receptor (GM-R) is expressed on both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tissues. Although the receptor has been identified by cross-linking studies as an 84,000-dalton protein, very little is known about its biochemistry. In this report, we describe a soluble binding assay for the human GM-R which allowed us to characterize the receptor complex from various sources, including plasma membranes of placenta, neutrophils, and human myeloid leukemia cell lines. Preparation of membranes as well as solubilization by Triton X-100 and N-octylglucoside resulted in a 5-10-fold lower affinity of the receptor for GM-CSF. The Kd decreased from 20 to 80 pM in intact cells to 200-500 pM in both intact and solubilized membranes. Binding in solution was rapid, specific for GM-CSF, and best fit a "one-site" model with an approximate Kd of 500 pM. The dissociation rate constant for the soluble GM-R was very similar to that of intact cells (k2 = 0.013 min-1 versus 0.017 min-1, respectively). As expected, solubilized membranes obtained from those cells expressing the highest number of GM-R (neutrophils and dimethyl sulfoxide-induced HL-60 cells; approximately 500-800 sites/cell) possessed the highest concentration of soluble GM-R (approximately 2-3 x 10(8) GM-R/micrograms). Cross-linking of 125I-GM-CSF to soluble GM-R resulted in the appearance of two specifically labeled complexes. A major 110-kDa receptor-ligand complex is found when cross-linking is performed with intact cells; both 110- and 200-kDa species are seen when cross-linking is performed with either intact membranes or soluble GM-R. These studies define methods by which intact GM-R can be solubilized and measured in solution, permitting a more complete biochemical characterization of the intact GM-R complex.     

Identification of a high-affinity binding protein for a hepta-beta-glucoside phytoalexin elicitor in soybean.

A putative receptor protein for a hepta-beta-glucoside phytoalexin elicitor was identified by photoaffinity labeling of detergent-solubilized proteins from soybean root membranes. Incubation of partially purified beta-glucan-binding proteins with a photolabile 125I-labeled 2-(4-azidophenyl)ethyl-amino conjugate of the heptaglucoside elicitor, followed by irradiation with ultraviolet light (366 nm) resulted in specific labeling of a 70-kDa band in SDS/PAGE. Half-maximal inhibition of the 125I-labeling of the protein band by underivatized hepta-beta-glucoside was achieved by 15 nM heptaglucoside. Analysis of the affinity of radiolabel incorporation into the protein by ligand-saturation experiments, gave an apparent Kd value of 3 nM, in full agreement with the results from radioligand-binding studies. Good correlation was also observed between the amount of radiolabel incorporated into the protein and the binding activity of the fractions obtained at different stages in the purification of heptaglucoside-binding activity. Photoaffinity labeling of proteins purified by glucan-affinity chromatography showed the 70-kDa band as the main component along with weak 125I-labeling of a 100-kDa band. The 70-kDa band was also the major protein visualized by silver staining after SDS/PAGE of this fraction, suggesting that it is the predominant form of the heptaglucoside-binding proteins in detergent-solubilized soybean membranes.     

Isolation of the hemopexin receptor from human placenta

A hemopexin receptor detected in detergent-solubilized placental membranes was purified from the human placenta, using hemopexin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. The solubilized membranes exhibited binding sites of 2.77 pmol of hemopexin/mg of protein with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 6.6 X 10(-8) M. The purified receptor has a molecular weight of 80,000, determined on sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis. Immunoinhibition experiments using the antibody against the placental receptor revealed inhibition of binding of 125I-hemopexin to human leukemia K562 and HL 60 cells, thereby strongly supporting that the polypeptide isolated from the human placenta was the hemopexin receptor.     

Structural and functional analyses of glycosylation on the distinct molecules of human GM-CSF receptors.

We have previously demonstrated that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) receptors are composed of at least two molecules of 80 and 135 kDa, which were denoted alpha- and beta-chains, respectively [Chiba, S., Shibuya, K., Piao, Y.-F., Tojo, A., Sasaki, N., Matsuki, S., Miyagawa, K., Miyazono, K. & Takaku, F. (1990) Cell Regul. 1, 327-335]. In this paper, we describe an investigation of the biochemical disparity noted between the alpha- and beta-chains of GM-CSF receptors using proteolytic and deglycosidic enzymes, and further demonstrate the potential importance of carbohydrate structures of the GM-CSF receptors using different lectins and glycoprotein synthesis inhibitors. Cross-linked alpha- and beta-chains with 125I-GM-CSF were digested by Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease and gave a different pattern. Furthermore, the size of the alpha-chain was reduced by 25 kDa by the removal of the N-linked oligosaccharides with peptidase: N-glycosidase F treatment, whereas that of the beta-chain remained unmodified by the enzyme. These results suggest that the alpha-chain of GM-CSF receptors agrees with the recently cloned low-affinity GM-CSF receptor [Gearing, D.P., King, J.A., Gough, N. M. & Nicola, N.A. (1989) EMBO J. 8, 3667-3676] having approximately 30% N-linked oligosaccharides and is biochemically different from the alpha beta-chain. By analyses using lectins, some of the oligosaccharides in the alpha-chain seem to be the complex-type and/or hybrid-type, because wheat germ agglutinin and leukoagglutinating phytohemagglutinin inhibited both GM-CSF-induced proliferation and GM-CSF binding to its receptors. Further analyses using glycoprotein synthesis inhibitors showed that N-linked processing of the alpha-chain, especially glucose removal by glucosidase I and II (whose activities are inhibited by deoxynojirimycin), appeared to be required for the expression onto the cell surface although the beta-chain expression was little affected by their inhibitors. Thus the beta-chain, probably located near the alpha-chain on the cell surface, was associated with a high-affinity class of GM-CSF receptors.     

Characterization of the murine pancreatic receptor for gastrin releasing peptide and bombesin.

The murine pancreatic receptor for bombesin and gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) has been characterized. Analysis of the binding of 125I-GRP to membranes indicates a single class of sites (10(-13) mol/mg protein) with Kd of 43 pM. A 70 kDa membrane protein was cross-linked to 125I-GRP by bis(sulfosuccinimidyl) suberate; labeling was blocked by GRP, GRP (14-27), AcGRP(20-27), GRP(18-27), bombesin and ranatensin, was partially blocked by [Leu13 psi (CH2NH)Leu14]bombesin and was unaffected by GRP(21-27) and GRP(1-16). The IC50 values for the competitive displacement of 125I-GRP from intact membranes by these peptides were similar to those obtained by the cross-linking experiments showing that the 70 kDa protein is the GRP receptor. The GRP receptor is G-protein coupled; divalent cations are required for high-affinity binding and nonhydrolyzable GTP analogs decrease receptor affinity. In minced pancreas, GRP caused a dose-dependent increase in inositol phosphates implicating phospholipase C in signal transduction. We suggest that the murine pancreatic receptor for bombesin/GRP is a 70 kDa membrane protein, is associated with a G-protein and stimulates phosphatidylinositol turnover.     

Solubilization of human placental tumor necrosis factor receptors as a complex with a guanine nucleotide-binding protein.

Human placental membranes exhibited high-affinity receptors for tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (Kd = 5.6 x 10(-10) M) with a density of 1.2-1.7 x 10(10) sites/mg protein. The receptors were solubilized from these membranes with 1% Nonidet P-40, and the solubilized receptor was adsorbed to Con A-Sepharose and wheat germ agglutinin agarose columns, indicating that the TNF receptor derived from human placenta contains carbohydrate chains recognized by these lectins. TNF binding activity was eluted from a column of Sephacryl S-300 as a single peak of Mr 300 kDa. The solubilized receptor was further purified by TNF-Sepharose prepared by coupling of TNF to tresyl-activated Sepharose 4B. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the purified sample resolved five major bands of Mr 90, 78, 41, 35, and 11 kDa, suggesting that these polypeptides constitute a multimeric complex with a molecular mass of 300 kDa, as observed in gel filtration study. Furthermore, the TNF-Sepharose-bound fraction demonstrated GTP gamma S binding and GTPase activity. Immunoblot analysis showed that the 41- and 35-kDa polypeptides were recognized by antisera against alpha subunits and beta subunit of GTP-binding proteins, respectively. These results suggest that the native TNF receptor couples to a guanine nucleotide-binding protein to form a large complex structure in human placental membranes.     

Solubilization of functional calcitonin receptors.

Calcitonin (CT) binding activity has been extracted from a membrane fraction of human placenta using the zwitterionic detergent, 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulphonic acid (Chaps). Approximately two-thirds of the available binding sites were extracted using 5 mM-Chaps. The binding characteristics of 125I-labelled salmon CT(125I-sCT) to the solubilized extract were similar to those obtained previously with placental membranes and other targets such as osteoclasts, renal cells and certain human cancer cell lines. 125I-sCT binding was saturable (Bmax. 75 +/- 6 fmol/mg of protein, n = 3) and Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of high-affinity binding sites (Kd 165 +/- 28 pM, n = 3). In competitive-binding studies, various species-specific CTs and CT analogues showed the same rank order of potencies as seen in CT bioassays and several unrelated peptides did not compete at high doses. A biologically active CT analogue, [Arg11,18, Lys14]sCT, derivatized with the photoreactive phenylazide cross-linking agent, N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-4-azidobenzoate, was used to identify receptor components of Mr approximately 88,000 and approximately 71,000 in both particulate placental membranes and the solubilized extract. Receptor components of Mr 85-90,000 have been identified in other CT target cells previously using chemical- and photoaffinity-labelling techniques. These results demonstrate the first successful solubilization of the CT receptor in a form which purification.     

Characterization and purification of the fusicoccin-binding complex from plasma membranes of Commelina communis

The fungal phytotoxin fusicoccin binds with high affinity to plasma membranes of the monocotyledonous plant, Commelina communis L. The sites bind the toxin with an apparent Kd of 5.2 nM and a pH optimum of 6.0. They occur at a level of approximately 6-8 pmol/mg plasma membrane protein. Photoaffinity labeling with the biologically active fusicoccin derivative 9'-nor-8'-(4-azido[3,5-3H]benzoyl) diaminoethylfusicoccin identified a polypeptide of 31.5 kDa on SDS/PAGE which was strongly labeled. A second 32.5-kDa band was also consistently labeled, although not to the same extent. The binding sites were solubilized in functional form and a purification scheme was developed based on affinity and ion-exchange procedures. The purified fraction contains two polypeptides of apparent molecular masses of 30.5 kDa and 31.6 kDa. A detailed molecular analysis of the fusicoccin-binding complex is now possible.     

Stereoselective photoaffinity labelling of the purified 1,4-dihydropyridine receptor of the voltage-dependent calcium channel

The voltage-dependent calcium channel from guinea-pig skeletal muscle T-tubules has been isolated with a rapid, two-step purification procedure. Reversible postlabelling of the channel-linked 1,4-dihydropyridine receptor and stereoselective photolabelling as a novel approach were employed to assess purity. A 135-fold purification to a specific activity of 1311 +/- 194 pmol/mg protein (determined by reversible equilibrium binding with (+)-[3H]PN200-110) was achieved. Three polypeptides of 155 kDa, 65 kDa and 32 kDa were identified in the purified preparation. The 155-kDa band is a glycoprotein. The arylazide photoaffinity probe (-)-[3H]azidopine bound with high affinity to solubilized membranes (Kd = 0.7 +/- 0.2 nM) and highly purified fractions (Kd = 3.1 +/- 2 nM), whereas the optical antipode (+)-azidopine was of much lower affinity. Irradiation of (-)-[3H]azidopine and (+)-[3H]azidopine receptor complexes with ultraviolet light led to preferential incorporation of the (-) enantiomer into the 155-kDa polypeptide in crude solubilized and purified preparations. The pharmacological profile of irreversible labelling of the 155-kDa glycoprotein by (-)-[3H]azidopine is identical to that found in reversible binding experiments. Specific photolabelling of the 155-kDa band by (-)-[3H]azidopine per milligram of protein increases 150-fold upon purification, whereas incorporation into non-specific bands in the crude solubilized material is identical for both, (-) and (+)-[3H]azidopine.     

Isolation of a gastrin releasing peptide receptor from normal rat pancreas.

The presence of a putative GRP receptor on rat pancreatic particulate membranes was demonstrated by covalent cross-linking to 125I-gastrin releasing peptide (GRP), which revealed a radioactive band with Mr = 80-90 kDa on reduced SDS-PAGE. Fresh rat pancreatic membranes contained a GRP receptor which was solubilized with Triton X-100 as assessed by its failure to sediment at 100,000 x g for one hour and its ability to pass through a 0.22 mu filter. When 125I-GRP binding was studied using Sephadex G50 gel filtration chromatography to separate bound from unbound ligand, substantial amounts of 125I-GRP binding were observed in rat crude solubilized pancreatic membranes, but essentially no specific binding was observed until the crude solubilized membranes were fractionated by ammonium sulfate precipitation. Specific 125I-GRP binding was 500, 700 and 1400 fmol/mg protein, respectively, in the 0-25%, 25-50% and 50-80% saturated ammonium sulfate fractions (125I-GRP concentration = 1 nM). Specific binding was temperature dependent, saturable and of high affinity, (KD = 2.3 nM). A unique 70 kDa band was visualized by silver staining of the SDS-PAGE of eluates of GRP(14-27) affinity gel compared with eluates of control affinity gels incubated with the 25-50% (NH4)2SO4 fraction. The lower Mr than that observed with covalent cross-linking may represent the binding subunit of a larger receptor protein. This ligand-affinity isolated protein is thus a good candidate for the GRP receptor, or the binding subunit of it, from normal rat pancreas.     

Affinity labeling of the galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine-specific receptor of rat hepatocytes: preferential labeling of one of the subunits

The galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine-specific receptor (also known as asialoglycoprotein receptor) of rat hepatocytes consists of three subunits, one of which [43 kilodalton (kDa)] exists in a greater abundance (up to 70% of total protein) over the two minor species (52 and 60 kDa). When the receptor on the hepatocyte membranes was photoaffinity labeled with an 125I-labeled high-affinity reagent [a triantennary glycopeptide containing an aryl azide group on galactosyl residues; Lee, R. T., & Lee, Y. C. (1986) Biochemistry 25, 6835-6841], the labeling occurred mainly (51-80%) on one of the minor bands (52 kDa). Similarly, affinity-bound, N-acetylgalactosamine-modified lactoperoxidase radioiodinated the same 52-kDa band preferentially. In contrast, both the photoaffinity labeling and lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination of the purified, detergent-solubilized receptor resulted in a distribution of the label that is comparable to the Coomassie blue staining pattern of the three bands; i.e., the 43-kDa band was the major band labeled. These and other experimental results suggest that the preferential labeling of the minor band and inefficient labeling of the major band on the hepatocyte membrane resulted from a specific topological arrangement of these subunits on the membranes. We postulate that in the native, membrane-bound state of the receptor, the 52-kDa minor band is topologically prominent, while the major (43 kDa) band is partially masked. This partial masking may result from a tight packing of the receptor subunits on the membranes to form a lattice work [Hardy, M. R., Townsend, R. R., Parkhurst, S. M., & Lee, Y. C. (1985) Biochemistry 24, 22-28].