Abstract

Inhibition of insulin secretion by galanin is pertussis toxin (PTX) sensitive, suggesting the activation of one or more heterotrimeric (alpha, beta, gamma) G-proteins (Gi/Go). Multiple effectors, including the K+ATP and L-type Ca2+ channels, adenylyl cyclase, and an as yet unidentified system at a site close to exocytosis, are modulated by galanin. Therefore, it is necessary to delineate the particular G-proteins activated by the galanin receptor as a first step to understanding its net cellular response. During specific conditions, cholera toxin (CTX) can ADP-ribosylate the alpha i/alpha o-subunits of the PTX-sensitive substrates but only during receptor/G-protein interaction. Therefore, we used CTX-catalyzed ADP ribosylation to identify galanin receptor-associated G-protein alpha-subunits in RINm5F cells. Galanin enhanced the ADP ribosylation of membrane proteins separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in two bands at 39,000 and 42,000 M(r). This labeling was blocked in membranes prepared from PTX-treated cells, enhanced by Mg2+, and showed a biphasic dependence on exogenous guanine nucleotides. Identification of the CTX ADP-ribosylated G-proteins by immunoprecipitation with selective antisera indicate activation by the galanin receptor of alpha i1 and alpha i3, which have the same mobility on SDS-PAGE (42,000 M(r)), and alpha i2 (39,000 M(r)). These studies provide evidence for the activation of multiple G-proteins by receptors for galanin in RINm5F cells.