Characterization of 3H-labelled platelet activating factor receptor complex solubilized from rabbit platelet membranes

Rabbit platelet membranes, preincubated with 3H-labeled platelet activating factor (3H]PAF), were solubilized with 2% digitonin. Sedimentation of the detergent extract in a sucrose density gradient revealed a major labeled component with a sedimentation coefficient (s20,omega) of 10.5 S, which was substantially diminished when an excess of unlabeled PAF or L-652,731, (trans-2,5-bis(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)tetrahydrofuran), (PAF antagonist) was present in the preincubation mixture, suggesting that the 10.5 S component is a specific receptor-bound 3H]PAF complex. Gel filtration of the 3H]PAF-receptor complex on Sephacryl S-300 revealed a single radiolabeled fraction with an apparent Stokes' radius of 4.9 nm. The apparent molecular weight and the frictional ratio of the agonist-receptor complex were computed to be 220,000 and 1.13, respectively. Dissociation of 3H]PAF from the radioligand-receptor complex was facilitated by Na+ and Li+, whereas K+ and Cs+ were ineffective. The guanine nucleotide, GTP, was also found to promote the dissociation in a manner that is additive with the effect of Na+, suggestive of the coupling of a guanine nucleotide binding protein to the solubilized PAF-receptor complex.