Functional modifications of the coupling of solubilized dopamine D2 receptors to guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins

The molecular basis for the regulation of high-affinity agonist, [3H]N-n-propylnorapomorphine ([3H]NPA), binding to cholate-solubilized dopamine D2 receptors was characterized using cations, guanine nucleotides and sulfhydryl-modifying agents. [3H]NPA binding displayed an absolute requirement for divalent cations in the solubilized preparation. Removal of Na+ from the solubilized preparation caused an apparent reconstitution of soluble receptors resulting in a reduced sensitivity of the agonist binding to divalent cations. The pharmacological profile of [3H]NPA binding was found to be similar in membrane and solubilized preparations. N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and thermal exposure mimicked the effects of guanine nucleotides in reducing the proportion of high-affinity agonist sites in the solubilized state. [3H]NPA binding was much more susceptible to NEM-induced alkylation or heat inactivation compared to the antagonist [3H]spiroperidol binding. Pertussis-toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of G-proteins in the solubilized preparation resulted in the labelling of only one protein with the apparent molecular weight of 39-41 kDa. Both NEM and heat treatments caused the loss of ADP-ribosylation in the solubilized preparations. A consistent pattern of correlation between receptor binding data and ADP-ribosylation response suggests functional coupling of dopamine D2 receptors to the components of the effector system in solution.