Immunophotoaffinity Labeling of the Binding Proteins for 1-Methyladenine, an Oocyte Maturation-Inducing Hormone of Starfish

: Starfish oocytes are naturally arrested at the prophase stage of the first meiotic division and resume meiosis in response to 1-methyladenine (1-MeAde), the oocyte maturation-inducing hormone of starfish. Putative receptors for 1-MeAde have not yet been characterized biochemically, although the specific binding of 1-MeAde to the isolated cortices of starfish oocytes was reported so far. Based on the structure-activity relationship of 1-MeAde analogs, we have designed a photoaffinity labeling reagent. The photoaffinity labeling of oocyte membrane fractions, followed by immunoblotting analysis with anti-1-MeAde antibody, results in the detection of an almost single protein band. This 1-MeAde-binding protein might be a possible candidate of the maturation-inducing hormone receptor of starfish.