Solubilization of active brain alpha 1-adrenoceptors by a zwitterionic detergent

Solubilization of rat brain alpha 1-adrenoceptors was performed by treatment with 6 mM CHAPS (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio] - 1 - propanesulfonate). The alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist [3H]prazosin was shown to bind reversibly and specifically to the soluble extract obtained after centrifugation at 150,000 X g for 1 h. Separation of the soluble [3H]prazosin-bound complexes was performed by the polyethylene glycol precipitation technique followed by filtration. A Scatchard plot of the concentration-dependent binding curve showed only one class of binding sites, with a high affinity for [3H]prazosin. Affinity of the solubilized receptors for the ligand increased as the CHAPS concentration in the assay medium decreased; the number of binding sites remained unchanged (approximately equal to 70 fmol/mg protein). This corresponds to a 30% recovery of original membrane sites. The solubilized receptors presented the same characteristics of specificity and stereospecificity as membrane alpha 1-adrenoceptors. Moreover, 150 mM NaCl was found to modulate the affinity of epinephrine for the [3H]prazosin-bound soluble complex, as previously described for membrane preparations. Thus, CHAPS appears to be a suitable detergent for solubilizing rat brain alpha 1-adrenoceptors and preserving their functional activities.