Impairment of G protein—coupled seven-transmembrane (7 TM) receptor function has been implicated in a variety of different pathologic conditions, suggesting that the discovery of specific antagonists may lead to the development of successful therapeutic agents. The effect of different agents on receptor-ligand interaction is often measured directly in a receptor binding assay; however, this assay format can be time consuming and does not detect agents that interact at sites distal to the native ligand binding site. Cyclic adenosine monophospate (cAMP) represents a ubiquitous second messenger generated in response to ligand binding to many 7 TM receptors. The present study describes the practical adaptation of scintillation proximity methodology, using FlashPlate™ (NEN Life Sciences, Boston, MA) technology to evaluate cAMP production. The bioassay is based on competition between endogenously produced cAMP and exogenously added radiolabeled [125I]-cAMP. Cyclic AMP capture is mediated through an anti-cAMP antibody onto a microplate well surface. Removal of unbound radioligand is not necessary because only ligand within ≤20 μm of the plate surface is detected due to the proximity effect. The data indicate that the use of scintillation proximity technology allows accurate and specific evaluation of G protein—coupled receptor function as measured by cAMP production and is suitable for high throughput screening.
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