Radioligand Binding Studies: Pharmacological Profiles of Cloned Y-Receptor Subtypes
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Radioligand binding is an extremely powerful technique that can provide detailed information about receptor-ligand interactions
both in vitro and in vivo. Several types of binding assay can be performed, including studies of the kinetics of association
or dissociation of the radiolabeled ligand, and equilibrium binding experiments such as saturation and competition binding
assays. Data obtained from such studies generate accurate information regarding receptor number, ligand affinity, the existence
of receptor subtypes, and allosteric interactions between binding sites and/or receptors. Generally receptorligand interactions
are studied using membrane preparations since these give highly reproducible results. However, the technique can also be adapted
to other preparations such as whole cells, tissue slices, solubilized receptors, and even whole animals. The techniques used
and problems associated with radioligand binding studies are reviewed in ref.
1
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