Effects of enzymes and protein modifying reagents on the binding of 3H-prostaglandin E2 to porcine oxyntic mucosa invitro

In the present study we have investigated the macromolecular nature of porcine oxyntic mucosal PGE₂ binding sites and the involvement of specific functional groups in the binding interaction. Incubation of oxyntic mucosal membranes with DNAse or RNAse did not influence binding. Phospholipase A₂ was strongly inhibitory while phospholipases C and D exerted variable effects. Trypsinzation of the membranes also reduced binding and this reduction was prevented by addition of soybean trypsin inhibitor. Neuraminidase and β-galactosidase treatments resulted in variable increases in binding activity. The increase in binding was due to an increase in binding affinity and/or binding site concentration. Protein modifying reagents acetic anhydride, N-ethylmaleimide and mercaptoethanol all reduced binding. These results suggest the importance of protein, lipid and carbohydrate components of the membrane in the binding interaction between PGE₂ and its binding site. The ability of mercaptoethanol and N-methylmaleimide to reduce binding suggest the involvement of both sulphydryl and disulphide groups in the PGE₂ binding reaction.