Receptor Binding Techniques

This collection of step-by-step experimental protocols demonstrates the power of radioligand binding for studying a wide variety of receptors. The methods can be applied to G protein-coupled receptors, receptors with integral ion channels, and sites other than receptors, such as guanine nucleotide binding proteins, enzymes, transporters, and mRNA. The individual protocols encompass many different preparations, ranging from solubilized receptors, through membrane preparations, intact cells, and autoradiography in tissue slices, to PET and SPECT analysis of binding in living human brain. Along with the detailed, easily reproducible instructions, the protocols also address the problems inherent in the basic binding technique, such as common experimental artifacts and the definition of receptor sites, as well as problems associated with the use of particular ligands and receptor preparations.