Hormonal control of cyclic AMP turnover in isolated fat cells

Control of the levels of cAMP in the early phase after addition of catecholamines and the effect of insulin is discussed under consideration of own findings from experiments with isolated fat cells of the rat. Data on the kinetics of cAMP are interpreted in the light of results from several groups of a rapid activation of phosphodiesterase activity along with the adenylate cyclase system. Comparison of energy metabolism of fat cells with the formation of cAMP under conditions of near-maximal activation of the adenylate cyclase system by isoproterenol shows that about half of the cellular ATP turnover is used for information transfer. Insulin reduces cAMP concentrations in the presence of isoproterenol within one min of incubation when added either together with or after the catecholamine. Experiments with propranolol and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, methyl isobutylxanthine suggest an effect of insulin on formation and breakdown of cAMP.