Platelet-derived growth factor receptors form a high affinity state in membrane preparations. Kinetics and affinity cross-linking studies.

The specific binding of 125I-PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor) to intact fibroblasts becomes relatively nondissociable during incubation at 37 degrees C. To characterize the interaction of PDGF with its receptors under conditions in which there is no receptor internalization, we have studied the binding of 125I-PDGF to membrane preparations derived from mouse 3T3 cells and rat liver. The binding sites had the affinity and specificity characteristics expected of PDGF receptors. At 37 degrees C (but not at 4 degrees C) the specific binding of 125I-PDGF to membranes gradually became nondissociable as assessed by either dilution or by addition of excess unlabeled PDGF. This tight binding was not due to a covalent interaction since the polyanionic compound suramin readily dissociated specifically bound 125I-PDGF. This property of suramin was used to expose rat liver PDGF receptors which were occupied by endogenous PDGF. Affinity cross-linking studies demonstrated that the formation of the nondissociable state of 125I-PDGF binding was associated with the binding of 125I-PDGF to a 160,000-dalton protein and to a 110,000-dalton species. The cross-linked binding sites could be adsorbed to wheat germ agglutinin and to anion exchange resins. The isoelectric point of both cross-linked species determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was approximately 4.7. These data demonstrate that in membrane preparations, PDGF binds to an anionic 160,000-dalton glycoprotein which is likely to be the receptor. A high affinity state of PDGF binding, which is formed rapidly at 37 degrees C, can be dissociated by suramin.