Specific guanine nucleotide binding by membranes from Cucurbita pepo seedlings

A microsomal membrane preparation from hypocotyls of dark-grown Cucurbita pepo L. (zucchini) seedlings contains specific high-affinity binding sites for the non-hydrolyzable GTP analog guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP-gamma-S). Both the binding affinity and the pattern of binding specificity for GTP and guanine nucleoside triphosphate analogs are shared with the more thoroughly characterized animal G-proteins that are known to be involved in signal transduction. The sensitivity of GTP-gamma-S binding to Mg+2 ions and temperature was similar to that reported for rabbit liver G-protein, although the plant complex dissociated more readily. GTP-gamma-S could be recovered unchanged from the binding complex. Proteins (Mr 33 and 50 kDa) present in zucchini membrane preparations were revealed by immunoblotting with antiserum specific for the alpha subunit of platelet GS. These may be homologous to animal G-proteins.