Activation of Go-proteins by membrane depolarization traced by in situ photoaffinity labeling of galphao-proteins with [alpha32P]GTP-azidoanilide

Evidence for depolarization-induced activation of G-proteins in membranes of rat brain synaptoneurosomes has been previously reported (Cohen-Armon, M., and Sokolovsky, M. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 2595-2605; Cohen-Armon, M., and Sokolovsky, M. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 9824-9838). In the present work we identify the activated G-proteins as Go-proteins by tracing their depolarization-induced in situ photoaffinity labeling with alpha32P]GTP-azidoanilide (GTPAA). Labeled GTPAA was introduced into transiently permeabilized rat brain-stem synaptoneurosomes. The resealed synaptoneurosomes, while being UV-irradiated, were depolarized. Relative to synaptoneurosomes at resting potential, the covalent binding of alpha32P]GTPAA to Galphao1- and Galphao3-proteins, but not to Galphao2- isoforms, was enhanced by 5- to 7-fold in depolarized synaptoneurosomes, thereby implying an accelerated exchange of GDP for alpha32P]GTPAA. Their depolarization-induced photoaffinity labeling was independent of stimulation of Go-protein-coupled receptors and could be reversed by membrane repolarization, thus excluding induction by transmitters release. It was, however, dependent on depolarization-induced activation of the voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC), regardless of Na+ current. The alpha subunit of VGSC was cross-linked and co-immunoprecipitated with Galphao-proteins in depolarized brain-stem and cortical synaptoneurosomes. VGSC alpha subunit most efficiently cross-linked with guanosine 5'-O-2-thiodiphosphate-bound rather than to guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate)-bound Galphao-proteins in isolated synaptoneurosomal membranes. These findings support a possible involvement of VGSC in depolarization-induced activation of Go-proteins.