Solubilization and characterization of adrenal and uterine angiotensin II receptors after photoaffinity labeling.

The physical characteristic of the receptors for angiotensin II in dog adrenal cortex and uterus were determined after affinity labeling. 125I-nitro-5-azido-benzoyl-angiotensin II, a photosensitive angiotensin II analogue which retained aldosterone-stimulating activity, was used to couple the octapeptide specifically and irreversibly to its membrane receptors. After solubilization with Triton X-100, the covalent hormone . receptor complex was analyzed by gel filtration and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Two radioactive species were consistently observed, with calculated Mr values of 126,000 +/- 10,000 and 64,500 +/- 11,000. the elution profiles of solubilized adrenal and uterine particles were almost identical. When the solubilized complexes were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis, a single radioactive band was detected upon autoradiography, with Mr - 65,000 +/- 6,000 for adrenal cortex and 68,000 +/- 7,000 for myometrium. These results indicate that the receptors for angiotensin II in adrenal cortex and uterus are composed of two subunits of similar molecular weight, and that the common functional properties of the receptors from both tissues are probably related to their similar physicochemical characteristics.