Reconstitution of solubilized serotonin-S2 receptors into phospholipid vesicles

Serotonin-S2 receptors from rat frontal cortex were solubilized using CHAPS/sodium chloride. Reconstitution of the solubilized receptors was achieved by dilution of the soluble preparation, followed by centrifugation to remove the detergent. The receptors were truly reconstituted as judged by sedimentation, increased thermostability and electron microscopy. The reconstituted preparation showed high-affinity binding of [3H]7-aminoketanserin. The binding characteristics resembled those obtained for membrane-bound receptors.