beta-adrenergic receptor coupled-adenylate cyclase of human fat cell ghosts

The effects of beta-adrenergic agonists such as isoproterenol, norepinephrine and epinephrine upon the adenylate cyclase activity of human fat cell ghosts were tested, each alone and in combination with the beta-blocking agent propranolol. Saturating concentrations of these agents showed a 2-6.5-fold increase of enzyme activity without addition of any artificial cofactors. Isoproterenol was more potent in stimulating the enzyme system than epinephrine and nor-epinephrine. Propranolol caused a dose-dependent rightward shift of the log-dose response curve of these beta-adrenergic agonists. The assay of human fat cell adenylate cyclase in vitro may provide a simple anc convenient assay system for the screening of beta-adrenergic drugs of potential therapeutic importance.