Adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase activity in soluble thyrotropin receptor complex.

cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity was present in a soluble TSH receptor fraction. The Km of this enzyme was 2.2 X 10(-6) M for casein substrate in the absence or presence of 10(-5) M cAMP. A [3H]cAMP-binding protein was also found in this fraction. The Ka for [3H]cAMP-binding was 0.11 X 10(6) M-1, with a total binding capacity of 3 nmol/mg protein. After fractionation using a continuous sucrose density gradient, one of the several [125I]iodobovine TSH-binding peaks corresponded to a [3H]cAMP-binding peak. After fractionation on a sucrose density gradient containing 0.4 M NaCl at pH 6.5, a major peak of protein kinase activity was shown. This protein kinase activity was stimulated by adding 10(-5) M cAMP. A peak of [3H]cAMP-binding activity corresponded to the same peak. Protein kinase activity in the receptor fraction was stimulated by adding 6 mg/ml bovine TSH. The soluble TSH receptor fraction also has an adenylate cyclase activity stimulated by TSH. These results suggest that some TSH receptors released from thyroid plasma membranes have associated adenylate cyclase activity and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. The receptor, cyclase, and kinase activities may exist in a functional primary receptor unit which is spontaneously released from plasma membranes.