Subsynaptosomal localization and biochemical characterization of serotonin binding sites in the brain.

The subsynaptosomal distribution of the borohydride stabilizable binding of serotonin (5-HT) in the brain was investigated using various enzyme markers, such as NAD glycohydrolase (NADase), Na+, K+-activated ATPase for synaptic membranes, and monoamine oxidase (MAO) for outer mitochondrial membranes. The gross distribution of the activity of NADase and Na+, K+-activated ATPase in various membrane fractions was found to parallel the distribution of 5-HT binding in these fractions. Radioactivity bound to brain fractions was extractable with chloroform-methanol (2:1). The membranous material was solubilized by chloroform-methanol (2:1) and the recovered material, suspended in 0.32 M sucrose was found to retain its 5-HT binding capacity. The protein-phospholipid nature of the binding subcellular macromolecule was demonstrated with proteolytic and lipolytic enzymes.