Conversion of acetylcholine receptor dimers to monomers upon depletion of non-receptor peripheral proteins.

The influence of treatments for extracting non-receptor peripheral proteins on the oligomeric states of the acetylcholine receptor has been studied in receptor-rich membranes from Torpedo marmorata. Conventional alkaline treatment of non-alkylated membranes resulted in the extraction of peripheral proteins (30% of total membrane proteins). Concomitantly, partial conversion of the dimer into the monomer was observed in the absence of exogenous reduction. Alkaline extraction at high ionic strength resulted in a marked decrease in protein solubilization, and no conversion of the dimer to the monomer occurred. Alkaline treatment extracted only one half of the peripheral proteins (15% of total protein) from membranes previously alkylated with N-ethylmaleimide or iodoacetamide, or oxidized by sodium periodate. Conversion of dimer to monomer was totally prevented by these treatments. Similar results were obtained by treatment of the membranes with lithium 3,5-diiodosalicylate. The above effects of alkaline extraction on the acetylcholine receptor can be interpreted in the context of two mutually non-exclusive mechanisms: (a) some of the peripheral proteins may directly participate in the thiol-dependent receptor aggregational states. Their extraction destroys this dynamic control. (b) Extraction of peripheral proteins destabilizes the receptor and makes it more susceptible to inter or intramolecular sulfhydryl-disulfide exchange, leading to the endogenous reduction of a proportion of the dimers.