RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Specific Plasma Membrane Binding Sites for Polyphenols, Including Resveratrol, in the Rat Brain JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 238 OP 245 DO 10.1124/jpet.106.102319 VO 318 IS 1 A1 Ying-Shan Han A1 Stéphane Bastianetto A1 Yvan Dumont A1 Rémi Quirion YR 2006 UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/318/1/238.abstract AB Using [3H]resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) as radioligand, we investigated the possible existence of specific polyphenol binding sites at the level of the cellular plasma membrane in rat brain. Specific [3H]resveratrol binding sites were found to be enriched in the plasma membrane pellet with lower levels in the nuclear and cell debris fraction. Specific [3H]resveratrol binding to the plasma membrane fraction was sensitive to trypsin digestion and protein denaturation but not to DNase and RNase treatment. Saturation binding experiments revealed that specific [3H]resveratrol recognized a single class of sites with an apparent affinity (KD) of 220 ± 45 nM and a maximal capacity (Bmax) of 1060 ± 120 fmol/mg protein. Various polyphenols and resveratrol derivatives competed against specific [3H]resveratrol binding in rat brain plasma membrane homogenates with the tea catechin gallates (epigallocatechin gallate and epicatechin gallate) displaying the highest affinities (Ki = 25-45 nM) followed by resveratrol (Ki = 102 nM). Quantitative autoradiographic studies revealed that specific [3H]resveratrol binding sites are broadly distributed in the rat brain, with highest levels of labeling seen in the choroid plexus and subfornical organ. Finally, the potency of various polyphenols and resveratrol analogs in protecting hippocampal cells against β-amyloid-induced toxicity correlated well (r = 0.74) with their apparent affinity in the [3H]resveratrol binding assay. Taken together, these results suggest that the neuroprotective action of various polyphenols and resveratrol analogs could be mediated by the activation of common “receptor” binding sites particularly enriched at the level of the cellular plasma membrane in the rat brain. The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics