Human Y-79 retinoblastoma cells exhibit specific corticotropin-releasing hormone binding sites

In this study we have identified specific binding sites for corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in human Y-79 retinoblastoma cell membranes by using 125I-Tyr-ovine CRH (125I-oCRH) as radioligand. Binding at 19 degrees C was rapid with steady state being reached within 20 min, reversible and linear with membrane protein concentration. The 125I-oCRH binding was enhanced by Mg2+ and inhibited by the GTP analogue guanosine 5'-O-(3'-thiotriphosphate). Y-79 cell membranes exhibited two populations of binding sites, a high-affinity site with an apparent dissociation constant (KD) of 1 nM and a low-affinity site with an apparent KD of 500 nM. 125I-oCRH binding was completely antagonized by human/rat CRH, [Met(O)21]oCRH, alpha-helical CRH9-41, urotensin I, and sauvagine with a rank order of potency similar to that displayed by CRH receptors of other tissues. These data describe for the first time the presence of specific CRH-binding sites in retinal cells. The Y-79 cell line may therefore constitute a valuable model in which to study CRH action on retinal cells.