A novel method for localization of gonadotropin releasing hormone receptors.

Two 125I-labeled analogs of GnRH, [acidobenzoyl-D-Lys6]GnRH (I) and [D-Lys6]GnRH (II) were used for the localization of GnRH receptors in pituitary cells. The analogs exhibited high binding affinity to pituitary membrane preparations and after photoactivation (analog I) or cross-linking with glutaraldehyde (analog II), these analogs are bound covalently to pituitary cells. The distribution of the labeled hormones by light and electron microscopic autoradiography indicated that after exposure of pituitary cells to 125I-labeled hormones at 4 C (90 min), most of the labeled hormones were associated with the cell surface membrane, while at 37 degrees C (30 min) most of the cell-bound labeled hormones were internalized.