Binding of adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate to plasma membranes of Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae.

A plasma membrane preparation from Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae which contains the high affinity cAMP receptor is described. Ligand specificity and the kinetics of cAMP association and dissociation using isolated plasma membranes were similar to those of intact cells. The changes in cAMP binding activity which occur as cells proceed through their aggregation program were also reflected in the membrane preparations. However, neither the low affinity cAMP binding site nor the oscillatory cAMP binding behavior observed on intact cells was detected with the membrane preparations.