Specific [3H]‐guanosine binding sites in rat brain membranes

1. Extracellular guanosine has diverse effects on many cellular components of the central nervous system, some of which may be related to its uptake into cells and others to its ability to release adenine-based purines from cells. Yet other effects of extracellular guanosine are compatible with an action on G-protein linked cell membrane receptors. 2. Specific binding sites for [(3)H]-guanosine were detected on membrane preparations from rat brain. The kinetics of [(3)H]-guanosine binding to membranes was described by rate constants of association and dissociation of 2.6122 x 10(7) M(-1) min(-1) and 1.69 min(-1), respectively. A single high affinity binding site for [(3)H]-guanosine with a K(D) of 95.4 +/- 11.9 nM and B(max) of 0.57 +/- 0.03 pmol mg(-1) protein was shown. This site was specific for guanosine, and the order of potency in displacing 50 nM [(3)H]-guanosine was: guanosine=6-thio-guanosine > inosine > 6-thio-guanine > guanine. Other naturally occurring purines, such as adenosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine caffeine, theophylline, GDP, GMP and ATP were unable to significantly displace the radiolabelled guanosine. Thus, this binding site is distinct from the well-characterized receptors for adenosine and purines. 5. The addition of GTP produced a small concentration-dependent decrease in guanosine binding, suggesting this guanosine binding site was linked to a G-protein. 6. Our results therefore are consistent with the existence of a novel cell membrane receptor site, specific for guanosine.