Receptor and effector interactions of Gs. Functional studies with antibodies to the alpha s carboxyl-terminal decapeptide.

Antibodies generated to a synthetic decapeptide, RMHLRQYELL, representing the carboxyl-terminus of Gs-alpha have been characterized in immunoblots and functional studies. This antibody, designated RM, reacts exclusively with a doublet of proteins of 52 and 45 kDa in immunoblots of bovine brain and wild-type S49 murine lymphoma cell membranes. No such reactivity is seen in membranes from cyc- S49 cells, which lack Gs. RM blocks receptor-mediated activation of Gs and adenylyl cyclase in membranes from wild-type S49 cells. RM could also immunoprecipitate adenylyl cyclase activity in detergent extracts from GTP[gamma]S- or fluoride-preactivated bovine brain membranes; thus binding of alpha s to effector and carboxyl-terminal antibody was mutually compatible. Such experiments provide an approach for the elucidation of functionally relevant interactions of G-proteins with receptors and effectors in the membrane.