Selective binding of prostaglandin F2 alpha to membrane fractions enriched in 5-nucleotidase, Ca2+-ATPase, and Mg2+-(Na+ + K+)ATPase.

Homogenates of uterine smooth muscle of laying hens were fractionated by differential centrifugation. Three of the five fractions thus obtained were further separated on sucrose gradient into four subfractions. By employing various enzyme markers, such as 5'-nucleotidase, Mg2+-(Na+ + K+)-ATPase, alkaline phosphatase, Ca2+-ATPase, cytochrome oxidase, acid phosphatase, and N-beta-acetyl glucosaminidase, the major subcellular fractions have been tentatively identified. Using gel filtration to separate bound and free prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) we found that the specific uptake of PGF2 alpha was highest in the subfractions which also exhibited the highest enrichment in enzymes viewed generally as markers for cell membrane. The results suggest that PGF2 alpha-induced contractile activity in this tissue is initiated by the specific interaction of this agonist with discreet receptors in the sarcolemma, rather than by binding of PGF2 alpha to intracellular organelles or to a cytosolic receptor.