Binding of cholecystokinin to high affinity receptors on isolated rat pancreatic acini.

The binding of cholecystokinin (CCK) to its receptors on isolated rat pancreatic acini was investigated employing high specific activity, radioiodinated CCK (125I-BH-CCK), prepared by the conjugation of 125I-Bolton-Hunter reagent (125I-BH) to CCK. Binding was specific, time-dependent, reversible, and linearly related to the acinar protein concentration. After incubation for 30 min at 37 degrees C, the 125I-BH-CCK both in the incubation medium and bound to acini remained intact, as judged by gel filtration and trichloroacetic acid precipitation studies. Scatchard analysis was compatible with two classes of binding sites on acini: a very high affinity site (Kd, 64 pM) and a lower affinity site (Kd, 21 nM). 125I-BH-CCK binding to acini was competitively inhibited by CCK and four of its analogues in proportion to their biological potencies but not by unrelated hormones. Stimulation of amylase secretion by CCK and inhibition of 125I-BH-CCK binding by the same analogues carried out under identical conditions revealed a correlation (r = 0.99) between binding potency and amylase secretion. Stimulation of amylase secretion by CCK closely paralleled the occupancy of the high affinity CCK binding sites. It is concluded that the high affinity CCK binding sites most likely are the receptors mediating the stimulation of amylase secretion by CCK.