A class-A GPCR solubilized under high hydrostatic pressure retains its ligand binding ability

Abstract The effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the solubilization of a class-A G protein-coupled receptor, the silkmoth pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide receptor (PBANR), was investigated. PBANR was expressed in expresSF + insect cells as a C-terminal fusion protein with EGFP. The membrane fraction was subjected to HHP treatment (200 MPa) at room temperature for 1–16 h in the presence of 0–2.0% (w/v) n -dodecyl-β-D-maltopyranoside (DDM). The solubilization yield of PBANR-EGFP in the presence of 0.6% (w/v) DDM increased to ~ 1.5-fold after 1 h HHP treatment. Fluorescence-detection size-exclusion chromatography demonstrated that the PBANR-EGFP ligand binding ability was retained after HHP-mediated solubilization. The PBANR-EGFP solubilized with 1.0% DDM under HHP at room temperature for 6 h retained ligand binding ability, whereas solubilization in the absence of HHP treatment resulted in denaturation.