Journal of Neuroscience, Vol 5, 2078-2085, Copyright © 1985 by Society for Neuroscience
Specific labeling of rat brain substance P receptor with [3H]physalaemin
P Mohini, SW Bahouth, DE Brundish and JM Musacchio
The binding of [3H]physalaemin [( 3H]PHY) to rat brain membranes is
specific, saturable and reversible in the presence of monovalent cations
and peptidase inhibitors. Monovalent cations increase the binding of
[3H]PHY in an ionic strength (mu)-dependent manner with an optimal effect
at mu higher than 0.3. Addition of 2.5 mM MnCl2 results in a 2-fold
increase in the affinity (KD) and a 40% increase in the maximal receptor
density (Bmax). Scatchard analysis under these conditions indicates the
existence of a single population of noninteracting sites with KD of 3.6 nM
and a Bmax of 76 fmol/mg of protein. Substance P (SP) and physalaemin are
equipotent in inhibiting the binding of [3H]PHY, whereas the potency of
SP(2-11), SP(3-11), and SP(4-11) decreased in inverse proportion to their
length. The relative affinity of the different tachykinins, SP, and SP
fragments in competing with [3H]PHY correlates with their potency to
stimulate several bioassay systems, indicating that [3H]PHY labels a
physiologically relevant binding site that correspond to the SP-P
tachykinin receptor. Guanine nucleotides completely abolish the increase in
the binding of [3H]PHY produced by 2.5 mM MnCl2, but in its absence, the
nucleotides reduce binding only by 15%. Guanine nucleotides reduce binding
to the same level regardless of the presence or absence of the divalent
cation. Regional distribution studies confirm that the density of SP
receptors is maximal in the olfactory bulb, followed by the hypothalamus,
striatum, hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum.