Antibodies to the alpha 1- and alpha 2-selective antagonists prazosin and yohimbine as probes of the alpha-adrenergic binding sites.

Antibodies were raised against a newly synthesized analog (CP57,609) of the alpha 1-selective antagonist prazosin, and against the alpha 2-selective antagonist, yohimbine, by immunization of rabbits with antigens prepared by covalent linkage of these ligands to albumin. Competitive inhibition of [3H]prazosin binding to anti-CP57,609 antiserum by a variety of unlabeled ligands revealed a spectrum of antibody specificity, with alpha 1-selective agents competing more potently than alpha 2-selective ligands. In contrast, alpha 2-selective ligands competed more potently with the binding of [3H]yohimbine to the anti-yohimbine antiserum than alpha 1-selective agents. These respective antisera were subjected to affinity fractionation of a CP57,609- or yohimbine-Sepharose 4B resin. Fractions from the CP57,609 resin were eluted successively with phentolamine (10(-3)M), prazosin (10(-4)M), and guanidine (5M), and from the yohimbine resin with prazosin (10(-4)M), yohimbine (10(-4)M), and guanidine (5M). The binding profiles of these fractions differed, and in certain fractions the relative order of potency of adrenergic agents was almost identical to that observed with membrane alpha-adrenergic receptors. Moreover, using these eluted fractions as immunogens, antisera have been obtained which, in the initial bleeds, already possess antiidiotypic activity. These findings therefore suggest that affinity fractionation of antibodies raised against alpha 1- and alpha 2-selective antagonists may provide useful analogs for the further study of the ligand recognition properties of alpha-adrenergic receptors. Additionally, it is probable that antiidiotypic antisera will be developed which will recognize the alpha-adrenergic binding sites.