Autoradiographic study of motilin binding sites in the rabbit gastrointestinal tract

Although motilin receptors have been demonstrated by ligand binding studies, there have been no morphological studies of motilin binding site distribution. Light microscopic macro- and micro-autoradiography using highly purified iodinated Tyr 23 canine motilin (10 −10 M) was carried out on the gastric antrum, duodenum, cecum and distal colon of the rabbit. Motilin binding sites were found on the smooth muscle layers of the gastric antrum, duodenum and colon, but no positive binding reaction was detected in that of the cecum. Specific binding sites were particularly abundant in the circular muscle layers, with low concentrations in the longitudinal muscle layers of the gastric antrum, duodenum and colon. No motilin binding sites were found in the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. The intensity of the positive reaction was inhibited when the tissue was incubated with 10 −8 M unlabeled motilin and was completely abolished by 10 −7 M unlabeled motilin. These results are consistent with the difference in contractile response to motilin between the muscle layers of the gastrointestinal tract.