Hydrophobic photolabeling in membranes: the human erythrocyte glucose transporter

Human erythrocyte membranes were labeled with a hydrophobic photoactivable reagent, 2-[3H]Diazofluorene. Electrophoretic analysis of the protein fraction showed that several membrane spanning proteins like Band 3 (the anion transporter), Band 4.5 (the glucose transporter), and the sialoglycoproteins PAS 1, 2, and 3 have been labeled. To isolate the diazofluorene-labeled glucose transporter, the membrane preparation was solubilized with Triton X-100 and passed through a DEAE-cellulose column. The flow-through fraction was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Radioactive analysis of the gel indicated that besides the Band 4.5, two more proteins corresponding to the Band 3 and Band 6 regions also coelute with the glucose transporter in the flow-through fraction. On the other hand, use of n-octyl glucoside gave a relatively better preparation. The 2-[3H]DAF-labeled glucose transporter isolated by the latter method on tryptic digestion indicated that the Mr 18,000 fragment corresponding to the C-terminal transmembrane fragment is labeled.