Affinity labeling of high-affinity α-thrombin binding sites on the surface of hamster fibroblasts

The serine proteinase α-thrombin potently stimulates reinitiation of DNA synthesis in quiescent Chinese hamster fibroblasts (CCL39 line). ¹²⁵I-labeled α-thrombin binds rapidly and specifically to CCL39 cells with high affinity (K_d ≈ 4 nM). Binding at 37°C was found to remain stable for 6 h or more during which time no receptor down-regulation, ligand internalization and/or degradation could be detected. The structure of α-thrombin receptors on CCL39 cells was identified by covalently coupling ¹²⁵I-α-thrombin to intact cells using a homobifunctional cross-linking agent, ethylene glycol bis(succinimidyl succinate). By resolution in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis we observed the specific labeling of a major α-thrombin-binding site of M_r ≈ 150 000 revealed as a ¹²⁵I-α-thrombin cross-linked complex of M_r ≈ 180 000. Independent of chemical cross-linking, ¹²⁵I-α-thrombin also formed a covalent complex with a minor, 35 000 M_r, membrane component identified as protease nexin. Two derivatives of α-thrombin modified at the active site are 1000-fold less than α-thrombin for mitogenicity. These two non-mitogenic derivatives bound to cells with similar affinity and maximal binding capacity as native α-thrombin, and affinity-labeled the receptor subunit of M_r 150 000. When present in large excess, during incubation of cells with α-thrombin, these binding antagonists were ineffective in blocking α-thrombin-induced DNA synthesis. These data suggest that the specific 150 000 M_r binding sites that display high affinity for α-thrombin do not mediate induction of the cellular mitogenic response.     

Cross-linking of alpha and gamma-thrombin to distinct binding sites on human platelets

The interaction of thrombin with proteins at the platelet surface was assessed by chemical cross-linking with the membrane-impermeable reagents bis(sulphosuccinimidyl)suberate and dithiobis(sulphosuccinimidyl propionate) under conditions which induced no modification of intracellular proteins and minimal cross-linking of membrane glycoproteins. The proteins covalently linked to 125I-labelled alpha and gamma-thrombin were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and crossed immunoelectrophoresis. 125I-alpha-thrombin was detected in high-molecular-mass complexes (a) at the top of a 3% acrylamide stacking gel and (b) with a Mr approximately equal to 400,000. In addition, two complexes of 240 kDa and 78 kDa were characterized. Hirudin prevented the formation of each of these complexes. The 78-kDa complex occurred spontaneously in the absence of bifunctional reagents, was only observed with active alpha-thrombin and was not dissociated by hirudin. Such characteristics are similar to those of a serpin serine-protease complex. The 240-kDa complex was formed with 0.8-100 nM alpha-thrombin, was observed after a short incubation time (30 s) and occurred with TosLysCH2Cl-inactivated alpha-thrombin. After analysis of Triton-X-100-soluble extracts of cross-linked platelets by crossed immunoelectrophoresis against a rabbit antiserum to platelets, two principal precipitates contained 125I-alpha-thrombin. These were a precipitate containing GPIIb-IIIa complexes and a precipitate in the position of GPIb. Indirect immunoprecipitation of GPIb, using a murine monoclonal antibody, confirmed it to be the major platelet component in the 240-kDa complex. Significantly, 125I-gamma-thrombin, which activates platelets with a prolonged lag phase, failed to bind to GPIb and complexes in the 240-kDa and 78-kDa molecular mass range were not observed. We conclude that several binding sites for alpha-thrombin are present at the platelet surface, and that GPIb is one of them. The studies with gamma-thrombin suggest that binding to GPIb is not obligatory for platelet activation although it could be involved in an initial step of the platelet response.     

Affinity labeling of a novel cholecystokinin-binding protein in rat pancreatic plasmalemma using new short probes for the receptor

Previous biochemical characterizations of the cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor have used the "long" probe 125I-Bolton-Hunter-CCK-33 since it was the only CCK analogue with high affinity and high specific radioactivity which possessed an amino group available for chemical cross-linking. These studies have consistently identified a major binding protein of approximately 81 kilodaltons and have identified several minor proteins which were obtained under different cross-linking conditions and in different laboratories. Because the receptor-binding region of CCK-33 (carboxyl-terminal heptapeptide) is so far removed from the radiolabel and from available amino groups (positions 1 and 11), this probe carries potential for proteolytic cleavage of label from receptor and for labeling "near neighbors" instead of the binding site. We therefore designed two "short" probes for the CCK receptor. 125I-Bolton-Hunter-Lys-Gly-CCK-8 has an epsilon-amino group available for cross-linking. 125I-Tyr-[Thr28,Nle31]CCK-25-33 has an alpha-amino group for cross-linking and has the major advantage of being labeled by oxidative means, unique for CCK derivatives. Both radioiodinated decapeptides were purified by reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography to yield specific radioactivity of 2,000 Ci/mmol; demonstrated saturable, specific, and high affinity binding to rat pancreatic plasma membranes; and retained full biological activity to stimulate amylase secretion. Using a variety of cross-linking methods, these probes each identified the same Mr = 85,000-95,000 protein in rat pancreatic plasmalemma, and CCK-8 competed for this labeling in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 1 nM). No change in apparent mobility of this band was observed under reducing or nonreducing conditions, suggesting lack of covalent attachment to other subunits. The Mr = 85,000-95,000 species migrated differently on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels than any of the components previously identified using 125I-Bolton-Hunter-CCK-33, confirming the novel nature of this binding protein. These short probes should be very useful for further characterization of CCK receptors on this and other tissues.     

Photoaffinity labeling of specific alpha-thrombin binding sites on Chinese hamster lung cells

Binding sites for alpha-thrombin on cultured Chinese hamster lung cells were identified using photoactivatable cross-linking conjugates of diisopropylphosphorofluoridate-inactivated alpha-thrombin. A series of photoaffinity reagents was synthesized that permitted systematic variation of the extent of thrombin modification and of steric factors affecting the ability of the photoaffinity reagent to contact thrombin receptors. The reagents were synthesized with a tritium label to accurately determine the number of photoaffinity molecules linked to each thrombin. Also, they were synthesized with different length spacer arms between the photoreactive cross-linking group (a nitroarylazide) and the end which linked to alpha-thrombin (a succinimide ester). By calculating the percentage of the thrombin surface that would be accessed by modifying it with a fixed molar excess of each reagent, it was possible to select the photoaffinity reagents that would be most effective for cross-linking 125I-labeled diisopropylphosphorofluoridate-inactivated alpha-thrombin to its cellular binding sites. The validity of this selection procedure was confirmed in experiments in which an Mr = 150,000 cellular component was labeled. This component had the properties of a specific binding site for thrombin since labeling was readily competed for by nonlabeled alpha-thrombin. The cross-linking achieved was due to the photoactivatable reagent since no detectable cross-linked complex was formed in the absence of photoactivation or with 125I-labeled diisopropylphosphorofluoridate-inactivated alpha-thrombin that was not conjugated with the photoaffinity reagent.     

Protease mitogenic response of chick embryo fibroblasts and receptor binding/processing of human alpha-thrombin

Quiescent cultures of chick embryo fibroblasts incubated with human alpha-thrombin (14-219 pM) incorporated [methyl-3H]thymidine proportional to concentration. Inactivated forms of this protease (e.g. active-site-conjugated alpha-thrombin or its hirudin complex) had no mitogenic activity and did not compete with 124I-alpha-thrombin for binding to specific plasma membrane receptors. The noncoagulant but esterolytic active forms, gamma- and nitro-alpha-thrombins, were weakly mitogenic and correspondingly competed weakly for binding. Trypsin competed equally as well as native thrombin for binding, whereas chymotrypsin, elastase, and human urokinase competed with 80-fold less affinity. Plasma, arginine-specific proteases associated with nerve or epidermal growth factors, insulin, and insulin-like growth factors did not compete for binding. These data demonstrate that (a) functional catalytic residues of the thrombin active site are necessary for mitogenic activity and for specific binding; (b) regions adjacent to the active site, i.e. the high affinity protein recognition site, appear to enhance binding; and (c) the receptor can discriminate between other proteases and binds those which are also mitogens for the avian cells. The characteristics of 125I-alpha-thrombin binding were determined, and it was found to be (i) proportional to cell number; (ii) optimal at pH 6.8; (iii) 70-90% specific; (iv) at equilibrium after 60 min of incubation at 22-24 degrees C or 180 min at 0-4 degrees C (the rate constants for association, i.e. ka, at 22 and 4 degrees C were 18 and 1.1 x 10(7) M-1 min-1, respectively); and (v) essentially nondissociable. Nondissociable thrombin that bound during incubation at 0-4 degrees C was distributed equally between trypsin-sensitive and insensitive compartments. Thrombin associated with the former was released into the media when the cells were incubated at 0-4 degrees C with hirudin or hydroxylamine, or transferred to the insensitive compartment when incubated at 22 degrees C. Finally, confluent cultures of fibroblasts bind 2-3 x 10(4) 125I-alpha-thrombin molecules/cell with an apparent binding constant, i.e. Kd, of 0.7 nM (a true Kd could not be determined because of the irreversible nature of thrombin binding). The binding capacity per cell and the apparent Kd value increased proportionally to an increase in culture density.     

Characterization of a neuronal subtype of insulin-like growth factor I receptor

Primary neuronal cultures from fetal rat brain were utilized to investigate the possible role of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in neuronal growth and differentiation. 125I-IGF-I binding to intact cultured neurons was specific and saturable with an apparent Kd of 7.0 +/- 1.2 nM and a Bmax of 1.8 +/- 0.3 pmol/mg protein. Binding of 125I-IGF-I to neurons was inhibited by IGF-I, followed by IGF-II and insulin. 7 S nerve growth factor, but not beta-nerve growth factor, also inhibited 125I-IGF-I binding. A similar binding site was detected on brain membranes. Affinity cross-linking of 125I-IGF-I to intact cultured neurons revealed, under reducing conditions, a major binding moiety with an Mr of 115,000 and a minor component at Mr 260,000. The former represents a neuronal type of the IGF-I receptor alpha subunit, whereas the latter probably represents an alpha dimer. The Mr = 115,000 binding component for 125I-IGF-I was also present in membranes prepared from postnatal whole brain. In contrast, the binding moiety in cultured glial cells was of Mr = 135,000, which was identical to the IGF-I receptor alpha subunit of placenta. Thus mature brain, despite its cellular heterogeneity, expresses a structural subtype of IGF-I receptor which appears to be unique to differentiated neurons. Moreover, glial and neuronal cultures secreted a polypeptide which specifically bound IGF-I; the apparent Mr of this binding protein was determined by affinity cross-linking to be approximately 35,000. The presence of neuronal IGF-I receptors and binding proteins suggested that IGF-I may exert neurotrophic effects on developing neurons. This possibility was supported by the observation that IGF-I markedly stimulated neuronal RNA synthesis.     

Covalent binding of thrombin to specific sites on corneal endothelial cells

Binding of 125I-labeled human alpha-thrombin to endothelial cells derived from bovine corneas was studied in tissue culture. Specific and saturable binding to the cell surface occurred at 37 degrees C but to a much smaller extent at 4 degrees C. Binding of [125I]thrombin to a specific site on these cells with formation of a 77000-dalton complex was demonstrated by NaDodSO4 (sodium dodecyl sulfate)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Binding of [125I]thrombin was blocked by a 100-fold excess of unlabeled alpha-thrombin and by the thrombin inhibitor, hirudin. There are approximately 100000 of these thrombin binding sites on the cell surface. Formation of the complex could be detected as early as 15 s, increased rapidly over the next 20-30 min, and then continued at a slower rate for the next 2.5 h. The catalytically active site of the enzyme was required for formation of the NaDodSO4-stable complex as shown by the inability of diisopropyl phosphorofluoride inactivated thrombin to form stable complexes with these cells. The complex was dissociated in NaDodSO4 with 1.0 M hydroxylamine, suggesting an acyl linkage of the enzyme to the cellular binding site. The thrombin-endothelial cell complex was distinct from the thrombin-antithrombin III complex (Mr approximately 90000) on gel electrophoresis, and its formation was not enhanced by heparin. Additional thrombin-cell complexes (Mr less than 77000) were also identified; however, they represent a small fraction of the total thrombin bound to the cells. These observations demonstrate that alpha-thrombin is capable of reacting specifically with corneal endothelial cells to form a NaDod-SO4-stable complex which requires the catalytically active enzyme.     

Cross-linking of epidermal growth factor receptors in intact cells: detection of initial stages of receptor clustering and determination of molecular weight of high-affinity receptors

A method was developed to label epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors with 125I-EGF in whole cells using chemical cross-linking reagents. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis resolved an Mr approximately 180,000 EGF-receptor complex and larger Mr greater than or equal to 360,000 aggregates. The formation of the larger complexes was time and temperature dependent and appeared to represent the initial events of EGF receptor clustering. Alteration of the ratio of 125I-EGF-labeled high- (Kd approximately 0.16 nM) and low- (Kd approximately 1.5 nM) affinity complexes by competition with unlabeled EGF or by induction of additional high-affinity sites with dexamethasone suggested that both sites were represented by the Mr approximately 180,000 125I-EGF-receptor complexes. Digestion of cells before cross-linking detected a small population of trypsin-resistant Mr approximately 180,000 receptors, which could represent previously described cryptic and/or high-affinity receptors. Few of the Mr approximately 360,000 receptors were trypsin resistant. Glucocorticoid induction of high-affinity EGF receptors failed to induce detectable changes in the microclustering of EGF receptors but did result in a 50% increase in EGF-induced receptor phosphorylation in HeLa S3 cell membranes at 4 degrees C. Thus, glucocorticoids increase high-affinity EGF binding sites, EGF-induced receptor phosphorylation, and cell growth.     

Characterization of a bombesin receptor on Swiss mouse 3T3 cells by affinity cross-linking

We have previously identified by chemical cross-linking a cell surface protein in Swiss 3T3 cells of apparent Mr 75,000-85,000, which may represent a major component of the receptor for peptides of the bombesin family in these cells. Because bombesin-like peptides may interact with other cell surface molecules, it was important to establish the correlation between receptor binding and functions of this complex and further characterize the Mr 75,000-85,000 cross-linked protein. Detailed time courses carried out at different temperatures demonstrated that the Mr 75,000-85,000 affinity-labelled band was the earliest cross-linked complex detected in Swiss 3T3 cells incubated with 125I-labelled gastrin-releasing peptide (125I-GRP). Furthermore, the ability of various nonradioactive bombesin agonists and antagonists to block the formation of the Mr 75,000-85,000 cross-linked complex correlated extremely well (r = 0.994) with the relative capacity of these peptides to inhibit 125I-GRP specific binding. Pretreatment with unlabelled GRP for up to 6 h caused only a slight decrease in both specific 125I-GRP binding and the affinity labelling of the Mr 75,000-85,000 protein. We also show that the cross-linked complex is a glycoprotein. First, solubilized affinity labelled Mr 75,000-85,000 complex applied to wheat germ lectin-sepharose columns was eluted by addition of 0.3 M N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. Second, treatment with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase F reduced the apparent molecular weight of the affinity-labelled band from 75,000-85,000 to 43,000, indicating the presence of N-linked oligosaccharide groups.     

Insulin receptors in the mammalian central nervous system: binding characteristics and subunit structure

Insulin receptors in rat and human central nervous system have been identified by binding of 125I-insulin on purified synaptic plasma membranes; affinity labelling of receptors by chemical cross-linking 125I-insulin; or phosphorylation of receptors with [gamma-32P]ATP. Brain insulin receptors showed significant differences in their binding characteristics and subunit structure when compared with receptors in other tissues like adipose and liver cells: absence of negatively cooperative interactions; a distinct binding specificity i.e. porcine proinsulin, coypu insulin and insulin-like growth factor I and II showed 2-5 times higher binding affinity in brain than in other cell types; a smaller molecular size of the brain receptor alpha-subunit than in other tissues (Mr approximately 115,000 instead of 130,000). In contrast, the size (Mr approximately 94,000) and function of the insulin receptor beta-subunit kinase was identical with that described in other cells. We conclude, that insulin receptors in mammalian brain represent a receptor subtype which may mediate growth rather than metabolic activity of insulin.     

Monoclonal antibody to the thrombin receptor stimulates DNA synthesis in combination with gamma-thrombin or phorbol myristate acetate

Studies with various thrombin derivatives have shown that initiation of cell proliferation by thrombin requires two separate types of signals: one, generated by high affinity interaction of thrombin or DIP-thrombin (alpha-thrombin inactivated at ser 205 of the B chain by diisopropylphosphofluoridate) with receptors and the other, by thrombin's enzymic activity. To further study the role of high affinity thrombin receptors in initiation, we immunized mice with whole human fibroblasts and selected antibodies that blocked the binding of 125I- thrombin to high affinity receptors on hamster fibroblasts. One of these antibodies, TR-9, inhibits from 80 to 100% of 125I-thrombin binding, exhibits an immunofluorescent pattern indistinguishable from that of thrombin bound to receptors on these cells, and selectively binds solubilized thrombin receptors. By itself, TR-9 did not initiate DNA synthesis nor did it block thrombin initiation, but TR-9 addition to cells in the presence of alpha-thrombin, gamma-thrombin (0.5 microgram/ml), or PMA stimulated thymidine incorporation up to threefold over controls. In all cases, maximal stimulation was observed at concentrations of TR-9, ranging from 1 to 4 nM corresponding to concentrations required to inhibit from 30 to 100% of 125I-thrombin binding. These results demonstrate that the binding of the monoclonal antibody to the alpha-thrombin receptor can mimic the effects of thrombin's high affinity interaction with this receptor in stimulating cell proliferation.     

Visualization of several binding sites for basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) on fibroblasts by photoaffinity labeling: Evidence for intracellular complexes

The internalization of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) was studied in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CCL39). Recombinant FGF-2 was derivatized with a photoactivable agent, N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-4-azido-benzoate (HSAB), iodinated, and used to visualize intracellular FGF-2-affinity-labeled molecules after internalization at 37°C. Iodinated HSAB-FGF-2 maintained the properties of natural FGF-2 such as affinity for heparin, binding to Bek and Flg receptors, interaction with high- and low-affinity binding sites, and reinitiating of DNA synthesis in CCL39 cells. Affinity-labeling experiments at 4°C with ¹²⁵I-HSAB-FGF-2 led to the detection of several FGF-cell surface complexes with apparent molecular mass of 80, 100, 125, 150, 170–180, 220, 260, and about 320 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), whereas two specific bands at 80 and 130–160 kDa were obtained using the homobifunctional cross-linking reagent, disuccinimidyl suberate. When the cells, preincubated with ¹²⁵I-HSAB-FGF-2 at 4°C and then washed, were shifted to 37°C, irradiation of the internalized labeled FGF-2 led to detection of a similar but fainted profile with one major specific band at 80 kDa. Heparitinase II treatment of the cells reduced binding of ¹²⁵I-HSAB-FGF-2 to its cell surface sites by 80% and internalization by 55%, indicating the involvement of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in these processes. Among the heparitinase-sensitive bands was the 80-kDa complex. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Covalent cross-linking of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) to its receptor in intact colonic adenocarcinoma cells in culture (HT 29)

[125I]Monoiodinated vasoactive intestinal peptide (125I-VIP) was cross-linked with human colonic adenocarcinoma cells (HT29 cells) grown as a monolayer using dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate) as cross-linking reagent. The cross-linked polypeptides were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. A major polypeptide of Mr = 67 000 was characterized and it behaved like a high-affinity binding site for VIP according to the following data. The concentration of native VIP (0.5 nM) giving half-maximum inhibition of 125I-VIP covalent cross-linking with this polypeptide was very similar to that giving half-maximum displacement of 125I-VIP on HT 29 cells (0.6 nM). Glucagon or insulin was unable to inhibit the labelling of the Mr-67 000 component. In our experimental conditions neither specific 125I-VIP binding nor covalent labelling was observed with monolayers of Madin Darby canine kidney epithelial cells (MDCK cells) or African green monkey kidney fibroblasts (Vero cells) while the Mr-67 000 polypeptide was also characterized with human rectal adenocarcinoma cells (HRT 18 cells), known to possess the VIP receptor. Preincubation of HT 29 cells with native VIP at 37 degrees C, before 125I-VIP binding and subsequent cross-linking reaction, decreased the labelling of the Mr-67 000 polypeptide up to 80%. Assuming one molecule of 125I-VIP cross-linked per polypeptide, we have characterized, for the first time, a major polypeptide of Mr = 64 000, which belongs to the high-affinity VIP binding site of an intestinal human cell line.     

Identification of distinct receptors for two hemopoietic growth factors (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and multipotential colony-stimulating factor) by chemical cross-linking

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and multipotential colony-stimulating factor (multi-CSF or interleukin 3) are two members of a family of hemopoietic growth and differentiation factors. Using biologically active radioiodinated derivatives and chemical cross-linking (predominantly with the homobifunctional reagent disuccinimidyl suberate) followed by gel electrophoresis and autoradiography, receptors for these two factors have been identified. The G-CSF receptor was identified as a single subunit protein of Mr approximately 150,000 while two molecular species able to specifically cross-link to 125I-multi-CSF were identified of Mr approximately 75,000 and 60,000. For both CSFs specificity of formation of cross-linked species was demonstrated by showing that the homologous unlabeled CSF (but not other CSFs) competed for formation of the complexes with the appropriate dose-response relation, by showing that saturation occurred over the appropriate range of 125I-CSF concentration and by showing that the cellular specificity of CSF binding paralleled that for cross-linked complex formation. The formation of cross-linked complexes was dependent on the concentration and type of chemical cross-linker, especially for cross-linking of 125I-multi-CSF. Based on a number of criteria it is suggested that the two species cross-linked to 125I-multi-CSF do not represent receptors of different affinity but, rather, two noncovalently associated subunits of a receptor complex.     

Molecular structure of rat brain apamin receptor: differential photoaffinity labeling of putative K+ channel subunits and target size analysis

Two photoreactive apamin derivatives were prepared with an aryl azide [[(azidonitrophenyl)amino]acetate (ANPAA)] group coupled at different positions on the neurotoxin molecule. These ligands were used to identify membrane components in the environment of the neuronal binding site that is associated with a Ca2+-activated K+ channel. 125I-[alpha-ANPAA-Cys1] apamin labeled a single Mr 86 000 chain in cultured neurons whereas two bands corresponding to Mr 86 000 and 59,000 were detected in synaptic membrane preparations, suggesting that the Mr 59,000 polypeptide may be a degradation product. 125I-[epsilon-ANPAA-Lys4]apamin however incorporated uniquely into two smaller components with Mr 33,000 and 22,000 in both cultured neurons and synaptic membranes. Randomly modified 125I-ANPAA-apamin gave a cross-linking profile equivalent to the sum of those obtained with the two defined derivatives. The apamin binding site seems to be located at the frontier between three or more putative K+ channel subunits which are only accessible from limited regions of the receptor-associated photoprobe. Irradiation of frozen rat brain membranes with high-energy electrons led to a reduction in 125I-apamin receptor capacity, yielding a target size for the functional binding unit of Mr 84,000-115,000, which could be constituted by the Mr 86,000 subunit alone or by the Mr 86,000 subunit in conjuction with one of the two smaller subunits.     

Use of the heterobifunctional cross-linker m-maleimidobenzoyl N-hydroxysuccinimide ester to affinity label cholecystokinin binding proteins on rat pancreatic plasma membranes

The binding of 125I-cholecystokinin-33 (125I-CCK-33) to its receptors on rat pancreatic membranes was decreased by modification of membrane protein sulfhydryl groups. Sulfhydryl modifying reagents also caused an accelerated release of bound 125I-CCK-33 from its receptor. Because of the presence of an essential sulfhydryl group(s) in CCK receptor binding we studied the application of the heterobifunctional (SH,NH2) cross-linker, m-maleimidobenzoyl N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (MBS), to affinity label 125I-CCK-33 binding proteins on rat pancreatic plasma membranes. Analysis of the cross-linked products by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography revealed that this heterobifunctional cross-linker affinity labeled a major Mr = 80,000-95,000 protein previously identified as part of the CCK receptor on the basis of affinity labeling using homobifunctional and heterobifunctional photoreactive cross-linkers. Additional proteins of Mr greater than 200,000, and Mr = 130,000-140,000 were affinity labeled using MBS. The efficiency of the cross-linking reaction between 125I-CCK-33 and its membrane binding proteins with MBS was significantly greater than that obtained with NH2-directed homobifunctional reagents such as disuccinimidyl suberate. The efficiency of cross-linking could be dramatically improved by reduction of membrane proteins with low-molecular weight thiols prior to binding and cross-linking. The differential labeling patterns of the CCK binding proteins obtained with chemical cross-linkers of similar length but different chemical reactivity underscores the need for caution in predicting native receptor structure from affinity labeling data alone. Using the same pancreatic plasma membrane preparation and 125I-insulin, the Mr = 125,000 alpha-subunit of the insulin receptor was affinity labeled using MBS as cross-linker, demonstrating its utility in identifying other peptide hormone receptors.     

Covalent cross-linking of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide to its receptors on intact human lymphoblasts

125I-labeled vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (125I-VIP) was covalently cross-linked with its binding sites on intact cultured human lymphoblasts by each of three bifunctional reagents: disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS), ethylene glycol bis(succinimidyl succinate) (EGS), and N-succinimidyl 6-(4'-azido-2'-nitrophenylamino) hexanoate (SANAH). A fourth cross-linking agent with a shorter chain length, N-hydroxysuccinimidyl 4-azidobenzoate (HSAB), was much less effective in cross-linking 125I-VIP to the site. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography demonstrated a band of Mr approximately equal to 50,000 +/- 3,000, regardless of which cross-linker was used. The labeling of this band was specific in that it was prevented by 10(-6) M unlabeled VIP and was partially blocked by the homologous hormones secretin and glucagon. The relative potencies of these peptides in blocking the cross-linking of 125I-VIP to the Mr approximately equal to 50,000 band of the lymphoblasts (VIP greater than secretin greater than or equal to glucagon) were similar to those previously found for competitive inhibition of 125I-VIP binding to its putative high-affinity receptor on these cells. The covalent cross-linking required a bifunctional reagent; it was dependent on both the number of Molt cells and the concentration of 125I-VIP. The apparent molecular weight of the cross-linked species was unchanged by treatment with dithiothreitol. These observations suggest that the Mr = 50,000 species represents 125I-VIP cross-linked to a specific plasma membrane receptor and that the receptor does not contain interchain disulfide bonds.     

The brain corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor is of lower apparent molecular weight than the CRF receptor in anterior pituitary. Evidence from chemical cross-linking studies

The ligand binding subunits of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors in brain and anterior pituitary of a number of species have been identified by chemical affinity cross-linking using the homobifunctional cross-linking agent disuccinimidyl suberate and 125I-Tyr0-oCRF (ovine CRF). In homogenates of rat, monkey, and human cerebral cortex, 125I-Tyr0-oCRF was covalently incorporated into a protein of Mr = 58,000. Under identical conditions in the anterior pituitary of rat, monkey, cow, and pig, 125I-Tyr0-oCRF was incorporated into a protein of apparent Mr = 75,000. The specificity of the labeling was typical of the CRF binding site since both the cerebral cortex- and pituitary-labeled proteins exhibited the appropriate pharmacological rank order profile characteristic of the CRF receptor (Nle21,Tyr32-oCRF approximately equal to rat/human CRF approximately equal to ovine CRF approximately equal to alpha-helical CRF(6-41) greater than alpha-helical oCRF(9-41) greater than or equal to oCRF(7-41) greater than rat/human CRF(1-20) approximately equal to vasoactive intestinal peptide). In addition to the major labeled proteins, 125I-Tyr0-oCRF was incorporated into higher molecular weight peptides which may represent precursors and into lower molecular weight components which may represent fragments of the major labeled proteins or altered forms of the CRF binding subunit. In summary, these data indicate a heterogeneity between brain and pituitary CRF receptors with the ligand binding subunit of the brain CRF receptor residing on a Mr = 58,000 protein, while in the anterior pituitary, the identical binding subunit resides on a protein of apparent Mr = 75,000.     

Synthesis and characterization of N-hydroxysuccinimide ester chemical affinity derivatives of asialoorosomucoid that covalently cross-link to galactosyl receptors on isolated rat hepatocytes

We have developed chemical affinity reagents for the hepatic galactosyl receptor. Asialoorosomucoid (ASOR) was derivatized with five homobifunctional N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester cross-linkers. NHS/ASOR derivatives were synthesized, purified, and applied within 10 min to isolated rat hepatocytes at 4 degrees C. Specific binding of these 125I-labeled derivatives was approximately 90% in the presence of either EGTA or excess ASOR. Specific cross-linking assessed by the resistance of specifically bound NHS/125I-ASOR to release by EGTA, was 50-75% of the specifically bound ligand. The extent of specific cross-linking correlated with the average number of NHS groups per ASOR and was controlled by varying the molar ratio of cross-linker to ASOR during the synthesis. Cross-linking proceeded rapidly at 4 degrees C as a first-order process (k = 0.25 min-1, t1/2 = 2.8 min). After being cross-linked with any of the NHS/125I-ASOR derivatives, cells were washed with EGTA, solubilized in Triton X-100, and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. Major bands were observed at Mr congruent to 84K, 93K, and 105K corresponding to the expected size of 1:1 adducts between NHS/ASOR (Mr congruent to 41.3K) and the three subunits of the receptor, Mr congruent to 43K, 50K, and 60K. The three subunits, rat hepatic lectin (RHL) 1, 2, and 3, were labeled in the ratio of about 1.0:1.2:1.0, respectively. After cross-linking, a polyclonal goat antibody to the receptor immunoprecipitated up to 100% of the specifically cross-linked NHS/125I-ASOR. Preimmune IgG immunoprecipitated less than 1% of the radiolabeled ligand. Cell surface receptors were cross-linked to NHS-ASOR, extracted with Triton X-100, immunoprecipitated with anti-orosomucoid-Sepharose, and subjected to Western blot analysis. By use of anti-sera specific for RHL 1 or RHL 2/3 (from K. Drickamer), cross-linked complexes of Mr congruent to 85K or approximately 90-115K, respectively, were detected as were un-cross-linked native subunits. The ratio of free to cross-linked subunits was approximately 10:1 for RHL 1 and approximately 0.5:1 for RHL 2/3. We conclude that all three receptor subunits can cross-link to ligand. We propose a model in which the native receptor is a heterohexamer composed of four subunits of RHL 1 and two subunits of RHL 2 and/or RHL 3.