Heterogenous inositol tetrakisphosphate binding sites in the adrenal cortex

Bovine adrenal cortical microsomes possess high (Kd = 3.68 +/- 1.02 X 10(-9) M) and lower (Kd = 9.20 +/- 1.71 X 10(-8) M) affinity binding sites for inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. The binding to these sites is rapid, saturable (reaches equilibrium by 15 min at 0 degrees C), and reversible. Competition studies with other inositol phosphate analogs indicate that the high affinity binding sites are clearly distinct from the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors which are, however, responsible for a fraction of the lower affinity binding. The characteristics of the inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate binding sites described are compatible with their possible receptor function.