Biochemical properties of a P2Y-purinergic receptor

The turkey erythrocyte has substantial value as a model for the study of a receptor that exhibits pharmacological properties very similar to those delineated in mammalian tissues for a P2Y-purinergic receptor. The G protein-dependent coupling of this receptor to phospholipase C can be studied in detail, and the availability of an abundant source of homogeneous cells from which highly purified plasma membranes can be prepared, has led to the development of a radiolabeled, reversibly binding radioligand for a P2Y-purinergic receptor and a photoaffinity covalent radiolabel for this receptor. This source of plasma membranes highly enriched in P2Y-purinergic receptors should also serve as a rich starting material for the eventual purification and structural characterization of this important signaling protein.