Solubilization of active somatostatin receptors from rat brain

Rat brain somatostatin (SRIF) receptors were solubilized in an active form with the detergent 3-[(cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS). Solubilized SRIF receptors were detected with the stable SRIF analog 125I-MK 678. CHAPS solubilized approximately 30% of membrane-bound SRIF receptors. 125I-MK 678 binding to the solubilized SRIF receptors reached equilibrium by 90 min and dissociated from the receptor with a t1/2 of 60 min. The binding of 125I-MK 678 to the solubilized SRIF receptor was of high affinity and was selective. The characteristics of 125I-MK 678 binding to the solubilized and membrane-bound SRIF receptors were similar. The solubilized brain SRIF receptor specifically bound to a wheat germ agglutinin-Sepharose column, suggesting that it is a glycoprotein. Analysis of the solubilized SRIF receptor by gel exclusion chromatography on an AcA 34 Ultrogel column revealed that its molecular mass is approximately 400 kDa. This mass is probably representative of the receptor complexed with other proteins or molecules. Further characterization of the fractionated 400-kDa species by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting indicated that Gi and Go may be associated with the solubilized SRIF receptor. This is supported by the finding that guanosine-5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate abolished 125I-MK 678 binding to the solubilized SRIF receptor. Antibodies directed against a synthetic peptide corresponding to a region of the C-terminal of Gia, which specifically immunoprecipitate Gia, immunoprecipitated over 24% of the solubilized SRIF receptor, suggesting that the receptor, in part, is coupled to Gi. These studies describe for the first time the characterization of the solubilized SRIF receptor in an active form. The ability to solubilize the SRIF receptor should allow for further characterization of its physical properties.