Solubilisation and molecular characterisation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Effects of N-ethylmaleimide on conformational equilibria in purified cardiac muscarinic receptors

Muscarinic receptors purified from porcine atria and devoid of G protein underwent a 9-27-fold decrease in their apparent affinity for the antagonists quinuclidinyl benzilate, N-methylscopolamine, and scopolamine when treated with the thiol-selective reagent N-ethylmaleimide. Their apparent affinity for the agonists carbachol and oxotremorine-M was unchanged. Conversely, the rate of alkylation by N-ethylmaleimide, as monitored by the binding of [(3)H]quinuclidinyl benzilate, was decreased by antagonists while agonists were without effect. The receptor also underwent a time-dependent inactivation that was hastened by N-ethylmaleimide but slowed by quinuclidinyl benzilate and N-methylscopolamine. The destabilizing effect of N-ethylmaleimide was counteracted fully or nearly so at saturating concentrations of each antagonist and the agonist carbachol. Similar effects occurred with human M(2) receptors differentially tagged with the c-Myc and FLAG epitopes, coexpressed in Sf9 cells, and extracted in digitonin/cholate. The degree of coimmunoprecipitation was unchanged by N-ethylmaleimide, which therefore was without discernible effect on oligomeric size. The data are quantitatively consistent with a model in which the purified receptor from porcine atria interconverts spontaneously between two states (i.e. R R*). Antagonists favor the R state; agonists and N-ethylmaleimide favor the comparatively unstable R* state, which predominates after purification. Occupancy by a ligand stabilizes both states, and antagonists impede alkylation by favoring R over R*. Similarities with constitutively active receptors suggest that R and R* are akin to the inactive and active states, respectively. Purified M(2) receptors therefore appear to exist predominantly in their active state.

Cardiac muscarinic receptors. Relationship between the G protein and multiple states of affinity

An expanded version of the mobile receptor model has been assessed in studies on the binding of N-[3H]methylscopolamine and [35S]GTPgammaS to cardiac muscarinic receptors and their attendant G proteins in ventricular membranes from hamster. The model comprises two pools of receptor, one of which lacks G proteins, and a heterogeneous population of G proteins that compete for the receptor within the G protein-containing pool. To guide the formulation of the model itself and to define the various parameters, data were combined from assays performed under various conditions with native membranes and following irreversible blockade of about 80% of the receptors with propylbenzilylcholine mustard. Multiple G proteins are indicated primarily by multiple states of affinity evident in the dose-dependent effect of guanyl nucleotides on the binding of carbachol; G protein-free receptors are indicated by sites of low affinity for carbachol that survive treatment with the mustard. The expanded model generally succeeds where more frugal schemes have been inadequate, but it nevertheless fails to yield a mechanistically consistent description of the data. Guanyl nucleotides and partial alkylation do not affect the inhibitory potency of carbachol in a manner consistent with their supposed effect on the equilibrium between uncoupled and G protein-coupled receptors. As inferred from the model, G proteins are lost upon alkylation of the receptor, and their numbers are regulated by guanyl nucleotides. Parameters estimated via N-[3H]methylscopolamine are wholly inconsistent with the same parameters estimated via [35S]GTPgammaS. The failure of the model suggests that multiple states of affinity may not arise from a ligand-regulated equilibrium between free receptors and G proteins on the one hand and one or more RG complexes on the other.

Reconstitution of alpha 1-adrenoceptors having high affinity for prazosin

Using a variety of detergents we find that soluble alpha 1-adrenoceptor recovery from aortic and hepatic membranes is markedly enhanced if the receptor is first prelabelled with prazosin. Moreover, prelabelling prevents the reduction in prazosin affinity induced by solubilizing concentrations of digitonin, possibly by stabilizing the receptor's conformation. 20-25% of alpha 1-adrenoceptors solubilized in sodium cholate were reconstituted into brain lipids. Specific [3H]prazosin binding to the reconstituted receptor was saturable and of high affinity (KD = 0.019 +/- 0.008 nM). We conclude that prelabelling is essential to preserve the receptor in detergents. However, once the detergent is removed brain lipids alone are able to maintain the receptor in a form with high affinity for prazosin.

Purification of membrane proteins

As stated at the beginning of this chapter, it is not possible to present a single step-by-step protocol for the purification of all membrane proteins. We have discussed many of the individual techniques employed to purify membrane proteins and the problems associated with their application. A successful purification protocol will require the use of a combination of these techniques. It should be clear from the examples given, however, that affinity chromatography is by far the most useful technique available. The greatest single obstacle to performing a successful purification is the ability to maintain solubilized proteins in fully dispersed monomeric micelles without inactivating the protein. The best combination of techniques and the optimal conditions for their use can be determined only by trial and error. This process should become easier as a greater number of examples become available and as greater use is made of HPLC and FPLC techniques.

Electrophoretic characterization of muscarinic receptors under denaturating and nondenaturating conditions: computer-assisted Ferguson plot analysis

The physical properties of the covalently labeled [( 3H]propylbenzilycholine mustard) muscarinic acetylcholine receptor from rat brain were studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis and computer-assisted Ferguson plot analysis. No proteolytic degradation or dimerization of the ligand binding subunit was found. No clues for different molecular weight forms or anomalous migration of the muscarinic receptor were detected. The weighted regression analysis of Ferguson plots gave an apparent molecular mass of 64-65 kDa. A new method for the electrophoretic separation of native (quinuclidinyl[3H]benzilate labeled) muscarinic receptor-detergent complexes was used for the comparison of wheat germ agglutinin binding, and not lectin binding receptors which were obtained by selective solubilization from porcine striatum. For this purpose, the computer-assisted Ferguson plot analysis is particularly suitable, since it renders possible the statistical assessment of both size and charge differences. Both receptor-detergent complexes were found to differ; statistically significant in their net charge but not in their size. The data support the view that muscarinic receptors from different sources may differ considerably in their glycosylation and that the receptor from porcine striatum can reversibly associate with a low-molecular-mass component which contains sialic acid.

Muscarinic receptor-detergent complexes with different biochemical properties: selective solubilization, lectin affinity chromatography and ligand binding studies

Muscarinic receptors were solubilized by nonionic, zwitterionic and ionic detergents from porcine striatum. A mixture of digitonin and gitonin (3:2) was found to be most suitable in respect to receptor yield and stability. The solubilization of muscarinic receptors by this detergent appears to be dependent on the existence of free detergent micelles. Consequently, the receptor solubilization was studied at different protein-to-detergent ratios. Based on these experiments, a double extraction procedure was developed in which the receptor is solubilized subsequent to the solubilization of other membrane proteins. After elimination of the detergent excess, the binding of the receptor-detergent complex to six immobilized lectins was studied. In accordance with previous reports, we found a considerable portion of the digitonin/gitonin solubilized receptors (one step extraction procedure) specifically bound to wheat germ agglutinin via sialic acid residues. Muscarinic receptors solubilized by a double extraction procedure (either from porcine striatum or rat brain) did not bind to the lectin. This is not owing to selective extraction or partial denaturation, and indicates that considerable portions of the glycan residues are not covalently bound to the receptor polypeptide. A GTP-insensitive heterogenous agonist binding was found only at the non-wheat germ agglutinin binding receptors. The data analysis was performed by the affinity spectra method.

The properties of cholinergic muscarinic receptor sites from bovine atria reconstituted after solubilization

We have previously shown that the digitonin-cholate solubilization of the muscarinic receptor from bovine atrial membranes disrupts the heterogeneity of carbamylcholine binding sites and their modulation by guanine nucleotides. Polyethylene glycol precipitation of the detergent extract restores these properties, while causing the formation of vesicular structures containing the receptor. Here we have studied the kinetic and pharmacological properties of [(3)H]N-methyl-scopolamine ([(3)H]NMS) binding to this reconstituted receptor. This binding is linear with the amount of protein, saturable and reversible. The apparent dissociation (K?(d)) constant determined by saturation experiments at equilibrium is 0.8 nM. By kinetic experiments an association rate constant (k(on)) of 0.28 min(?1) x nM(?1) and a dissociation rate constant (k(off)) of 0.17 min(?1) were obtained, whose ratio k(off)/k(on) = 0.62 nM is in agreement with k?(d). The potency of a range of muscarinic ligands in displacing [(3)H]NMS is atropine > scopolamine > methylatropine > oxotremorine > pilocarpine > carbamylcholine > b?thanechol. The Hill coefficients for the antagonists and partial agonists are near to 1 indicating a single class of binding sites for these ligands. In contrast, the Hill coefficients for full agonists are smaller than 1, suggesting heterogeneity of sites. Finally, it was observed that the binding of the agonists but not of the antagonists is modulated by guanine nucleotides. These results show that the binding properties of the native and the reconstituted receptors are very similar.

The binding of pirenzepine to digitonin-solubilized muscarinic acetylcholine receptors from the rat myocardium

The binding of pirenzepine to digitonin-solubilized rat myocardial muscarinic acetylcholine receptors has been examined at 4 degrees C. Solubilization produced only small changes in the binding of N-methylscopolamine and atropine. In contrast to the low affinity binding of pirenzepine found to be present in in the membranes, high affinity binding was detected in the soluble preparation. In both preparations, pirenzepine binding was complex. High affinity pirenzepine binding (KD approximately 3 X 10(-8)M) to the soluble myocardial receptors could be monitored directly using [3H]-pirenzepine. [3H]-pirenzepine-labelled soluble myocardial receptors have a sedimentation coefficient of 11.1 s. This indicates that [3H]-pirenzepine binds predominantly to the uncoupled form of the receptor. However, [3H]-pirenzepine-agonist competition experiments indicated that the high affinity pirenzepine binding sites are capable of coupling with a guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein. Pirenzepine affinities for the soluble myocardial receptors were unaffected by their state of association with the GTP-binding proteins found in the heart. The equilibrium binding properties of the soluble cortical and myocardial receptors were very similar. However, the binding kinetics of the myocardial receptor were much slower. It appears that the membrane environment can affect the affinity of pirenzepine for the rat myocardial muscarinic receptor. Removal of the constraint by solubilization allows the expression of high affinity pirenzepine binding.

Heterogeneity of solubilized muscarinic cholinergic receptors: binding and hydrodynamic properties

Previous studies have described the conversion, after detergent solubilization, of the multiple populations of membrane-bound muscarinic agonist binding sites to a population of uniform affinity. This paper describes the solubilization of at least two receptor species, distinct in their agonist binding characteristics, which are capable of interconversion by transition metal ions. This finding enabled a more detailed examination of the molecular properties and regional differences of brain muscarinic receptors than was previously possible. Muscarinic receptors (mAChR) obtained from the rat cerebral cortex or medulla pons were solubilized using digitonin or the zwitterion detergent, 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (Chaps). The equilibrium binding of the antagonist [3H]-4-N-methylpiperidyl benzilate ([3H]4NMPB) to detergent-solubilized receptors resembled binding to neural membranes and exhibited subnanomolar affinity, saturability, and simple mass action kinetics. Agonist binding to soluble preparations was measured by competition of [3H]4NMPB binding sites. Saturation isotherms for agonist binding to digitonin- and Chaps-solubilized mAChR obtained from various brain regions appear flattened and have Hill coefficients in the range 0.52-0.78. Computerized modelling techniques indicate that the best fit to the experimental data is provided by a model specifying two soluble muscarinic agonist binding sites with differing dissociation constants, KH and KL, respectively. Solubilization of cerebral cortex membranes with Chaps or digitonin resulted in a population with a composition of high- and low-affinity sites similar to that found in the membrane-bound state. In contrast, solubilization of the medulla pons resulted in an approximately 40% loss of high-affinity sites. Solubilized receptors retained the sensitivity to transition metals ions, but were insensitive to guanine nucleotides. Density gradient centrifugation indicated that Chaps-solubilized mAChR are composed of two molecular forms with S20,W equal to 9.9 S and 14.9 S. The 14.9 S species comprises approximately 30% of the total binding activity in the cortex and approximately 40% in the medulla. We identify the 14.9 S species as being associated with a guanylnucleotide binding protein because treatment of medulla membranes with guanylylimidodiphosphate prior to solubilization results in disappearance of 14.9 S with 9.9 S unchanged. Sedimentation of cortical mAChR in the presence of Cu+2 leads to an increase in 14.9 S to almost 50% of the total binding activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Solubilization and characterization of CCK receptors from mouse pancreas

To study the characteristics of the CCK receptor, plasma membranes were prepared from mouse pancreatic acini, and CCK receptors solubilized with 1% digitonin. To measure hormone binding, the solubilized receptors were incubated with 125I-CCK at 4 degrees C and the hormone-receptor complex was precipitated with 10% polyethylene glycol. Specific 125I-CCK binding by the solubilized CCK receptor was compared to that by the plasma membrane-bound CCK receptor. Both the solubilized and the membrane-bound receptor displayed optimal binding at an acidic pH (between 6.0 and 7.0) and showed a similar sensitivity to monovalent and divalent cations. The solubilized receptors preserved their relative specificity for CCK molecules: CCK-8 greater than CCK-33 greater than desulfated CCK-8 greater than CCK-4. However, the soluble CCK receptor had a lower binding affinity than plasma membrane-bound receptor. Solubilized receptors preserved their relative specificity for inhibitors of CCK binding and action: dibutyryl cyclic GMP greater than N-CBZ-tryptophan greater than proglumide. Solubilized receptors had affinities for these antagonists that were similar to receptors on intact plasma membranes. These data indicate, therefore, that the specific binding properties of the CCK receptor are inherent to the solubilized glycoprotein molecules.

Muscarinic cholinergic receptor of rat brain. Factors influencing migration in electrophoresis and gel filtration in sodium dodecyl sulphate

The muscarinic cholinergic receptor present in synaptosomal membranes of rat brain was covalently labelled with the alkylating muscarinic antagonist, tritiated propylbenzilylcholine mustard. The labelled receptor was then solubilized in sodium deoxycholate and sodium dodecyl sulphate, and its migration in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel filtration in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate analysed. Provided both proteolysis and inter-chain disulphide bond formation were vigorously prevented, the receptor from rat forebrain (cerebral cortex plus caudate putamen) migrated, in sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, as a broad band of apparent Mr 66000-76000. Two dominantly labelled polypeptides, of apparent Mr 68000 and 73000, could be distinguished as the major components of this band. These multiple species seen in electrophoresis may reflect a structural diversity related to the different binding properties, and modes of action, of this receptor. In electrophoresis using discontinuous buffer systems the labelled receptor readily formed intermolecular disulphide bonds and so aggregated. In particular, if solubilized membranes were reduced with 2-mercaptoethanol, and reformation of disulphide bonds during electrophoresis not prevented, then formation of a dimeric species (apparent Mr 119000-128000) occurred. This probably explains previous reports in the literature of larger-Mr species seen in electrophoresis. During gel filtration, the receptor formed intra-chain disulphide bonds which produced conformational heterogeneity, leading to polydisperse migration. In addition, extensive proteolytic degradation of the receptor occurred due to a protease migrating slightly ahead of the receptor. Both effects were eliminated by alkylation of the solubilized membranes with iodoacetamide before gel filtration. Alkylated receptor migrated on Sephacryl S-300 in 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulphate with an equivalent Stokes' radius of 6.1 nm. This is identical to that of reduced ovalbumin, a molecule with an apparent Mr in gel electrophoresis of 43000. On a different gel matrix, TSK HW 55(S), the receptor migrated with a somewhat larger Stokes' radius, eluting just behind reduced bovine serum albumin (Stokes' radius 8.5 nm; apparent Mr in electrophoresis 67000). Thus the receptor appears to adsorb to the Sephacryl matrix, although even on the TSK gel the receptor eluted as a somewhat smaller protein than expected from its behaviour in gel electrophoresis. Solubilized, alkylated receptor, partly purified by gel filtration so that it was not degraded by endogenous proteases, was not cleaved by mild hydroxylamine treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Solubilization and characterization of guanine nucleotide-sensitive muscarinic agonist binding sites from rat myocardium

Muscarinic receptors from rat myocardial membranes may be solubilized by digitonin in good yield at low temperatures in the presence of Mg2+. Under these conditions, up to 60% of the soluble receptors show high affinity binding for the potent agonist [3H]-oxotremorine-M (KA = 10(9)M-1), which is inhibited by 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate. The muscarinic binding site labelled with [3H]-oxotremorine-M has a higher sedimentation coefficient (13.4 s) than sites labelled with a 3H antagonist in the presence of guanylylimidodiphosphate (11.6 s) and probably represents a complex between the ligand binding subunit of the receptor and a guanine nucleotide binding protein.

Hydrodynamic properties of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors solubilized from rat forebrain

Muscarinic receptors from rat forebrain have been solubilized by Lubrol PX, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), digitonin and cholate/1 M sodium chloride. The overall level of solubilization was characterized using receptors prelabelled with an irreversible antagonist. The recovery of nondenatured soluble binding activity was estimated using reversible tritiated antagonists. All these detergents solubilized 60-85% of the total binding sites. In Lubrol PX most of the receptors were recovered in a denatured form. In the other detergents 30-90% of the solubilized receptors were stable and capable of binding reversible [3H]-antagonists with high affinity. The hydrodynamic properties of the soluble receptors have been examined by gel filtration and sucrose gradient centrifugation in H2O and D2O. The soluble receptors in Lubrol PX, lysophosphatidylcholine and cholate were, in general, heterogeneous as regards their molecular size. Estimates of the molecular weight after correction for bound detergent, varied from 82,000 to 134,000. Conditions were identified under which the receptor was largely monodisperse, and the estimates of molecular weight agreed with values (ca. 83,000) from sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amount of bound detergent could not be calculated for the digitonin-muscarinic receptor complex which had an estimated overall median molecular weight of about 290,000. It is concluded that a subpopulation of muscarinic receptors from the rat forebrain is capable of existing in a monomeric soluble form and binding ligands. There is also evidence that complexes with other proteins can exist, but their specificity and functional relevance are not known.

Protein composition of the atrial muscarinic acetylcholine receptor partially purified by wheat germ agglutinin affinity chromatography

The use of affinity chromatography on wheat germ agglutinin columns to partially purify detergent extracts of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor from porcine atria is described. The procedure results in a 20-fold purification of the protein. The partially purified protein binds [3H]L-QNB (the L isomer of quinuclidinyl benzilate) with an observed association rate constant 2- to 3-fold lower than that found for the detergent extract; however, incubation with column fractions eluted prior to the receptor gives an association rate constant similar to that for detergent extracts. The component responsible for this effect is nondialyzable and protease sensitive, indicating that it may be a protein or high-molecular-weight peptide. Affinity labeling experiments with [3H]propylbenzilylcholine mustard [N. J. M. Birdsall, A. S. V. Burgen, and E. C. Hulme (1979) Brit. J. Pharmacol. 66, 337-342] show radioactivity incorporated mainly in a broad peak of apparent molecular weight 75,000 +/- 5000.

Large scale preparation and characterization of membrane-bound and detergent-solubilized muscarinic acetylcholine receptor from pig atria

The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAcChR) has been prepared from pig atrial membranes by new large scale procedures which result in 30-40 fold enrichment of the receptor in the membrane-bound state and a further three fold enrichment during solubilization. The membrane-bound receptor was prepared by differential and sucrose density gradient centrifugation in 25 mM imidazole, 1 mM EDTA, pH 7.4. A double extraction procedure using a mixed digitonin/cholate detergent was used to solubilize the receptor at a 60-70% yield. The membrane and solubilized preparations had specific activities of 3.5-5 and 8-12 pmol [3H]L-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) binding sites per mg of protein, respectively. The presence of imidazole, which behaved as a weak muscarinic ligand, stabilized the receptor during solubilization and storage. Both the membrane-bound and detergent-solubilized mAcChR bound antagonists at a single class of sites and agonists at two subclasses of QNB sites. The proportion of high affinity agonist sites in the solubilized receptor was about 1/3 that in the membrane receptor. [3H]Propylbenzilylcholine mustard covalently labeled a single prominent atropine-sensitive component with an apparent molecular weight of 70-74,000 on SDS-polyacrylamide gels for both the membrane and solubilized receptor.