Protection of opiate receptors in NG108-15 against modification by N-ethylmaleimide.

Two different -SH groups associated with the opiate receptors of the mouse neuroblastoma X rat glioma hybrid NG108-15 have been identified. Modification of these by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) (presumed to be via alkylation) or by para-chloromercuribenzoic acid (presumed to be via formation of mercury adducts) decreases the binding of both opiate agonists and antagonists to these receptors. Agonist binding is more sensitive than antagonist binding to modification by NEM. Losses in antagonist binding are accounted for totally by decreases in the number of binding sites; there are no corresponding losses in antagonist affinity. Losses of antagonist binding exhibit a pseudo-first order rate constant; the modification of only one such group completely destroys the binding site. Both agonists and antagonists protect against modification of this group by NEM. Sodium and lithium, but not GTP, also protect this group, indicating that the action of these monovalent cations is directly on the receptor moiety. Losses in agonist binding stem not only from decreases in receptor number but also from selective losses in affinity. This -SH group appears to be different from the one at the binding site as sodium, GTP, and antagonist ligands do not protect against losses in agonist affinity. Agonist high affinity also is lost in a pseudo-first order fashion indicating that an alteration of only one -SH group per receptor complex is sufficient to produce this effect. The possible roles of two sulfhydryls in opiate receptor function are discussed.