Evaluation of endothelin receptor populations using endothelin-1 biotinylated at lysine-9 sidechain

Optimal conditions for biotinylation of endothelin-1 (Et-1) were determined using biotinylating reagents of variable linker arm length and mono- vs dual-biotinylated Et-1. Specific modification of lysine-9 sidechain with NHS-LC-biotin (Et-1[BtK9]) produced a derivative with maximal binding and retention of vascular smooth muscle contractile activity. The Et-1[BtK9] probe bound to Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with EtA receptor cDNA (CHO[EtR]), but not untransfected cells. Binding to rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) was detectable at 0.01 nM with maximal binding at 1 nM. Displacement of 1 nM Et-1 [BtK9] binding by Et-1 indicated an IC50 value of 6 +/- 3 nM. Et-1 displaced Et-1[BtK9] binding to VSMC and CHO[EtR] to a greater extent than endothelin-3, indicating predominant expression of EtA receptor sub-type. Thus, biotinylation of Et-1 at the lysine-9 sidechain may be of general use for localization and typing of Et-receptor populations.