Coupling of D2 dopamine receptors to G-proteins in solubilized preparations of bovine caudate nucleus.

1. The coupling of D2 dopamine receptors and G-proteins has been examined in cholate-solubilized preparations of bovine caudate nucleus. 2. No receptor-G-protein coupling could be detected in solubilized preparations obtained in 0.3% cholate, but if this preparation is diluted 5-fold, coupling is re-established. 3. The dilution process was examined, and it was shown that the change in ionic strength was an important factor in modulating the observed receptor-G-protein interaction. 4. Ionic strength was shown, however, not to be the primary determinant of receptor-G-protein coupling. This is likely to be the formation, upon dilution of the preparation, of vesicles in which receptor and G-protein reassociate. 5. The formation of vesicles upon dilution was examined by a variety of techniques, including thermal-stability studies, gel filtration, centrifugation and electron microscopy.