A sensitive and rapid method for identification and characterization of low abundance receptors

Abstract An improved method for detection of low intensity radioligand-receptor complexes resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) is described. [ 3 H]Azidopine-labeled 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) receptor from skeletal muscle resolved by SDS-PAGE was transferred to nitrocellulose and cut into strips and individual slices were analyzed for radioincorporation by liquid scintillation counting. [ 3 H]Azidopine-labeled DHP binding subunit migrated as a single entity with a mass of 170 kDa and was confirmed using conventional methods. Results were obtained within 4 h after resolution by SDS-PAGE compared to 3–40 days using conventional methods. In addition, detection of extremely low signals (less than 50 cpm/lane), otherwise overwhelmed by background noise using conventional methods, was possible due to removal of free ligand during electrotransfer to nitrocellulose. This technique offers a rapid sensitive, cost effective alternative to fluorography or other conventional gel slice analysis methods for detecting low intensity radiolabeled complexes resolved by SDS-PAGE.