Hormone-calcium interactions with the plasma membrane of rat liver cells

The binding constants and the number of binding sites for insulin, glucagon, epinephrine, cyclic adenosine monophosphate, and calcium ions for the plasma membrane of rat liver were determined by Scatchard plots. The plots are biphasic or multiphasic, an indication of at least two types of binding sites for each ligand. At least three types of binding sites were found for insulin. In the concentration range of 10(-6) to 10(-8) molar, glucagon, epinephrine, and hydro-cortisone increased calcium ion binding to the plasma membrane, whereas insulin decreased this binding. At hormone concentrations of 10(-6) to 10(-7) molar, glucagon was the most effective in increasing calcium binding, but at a hormone concentration of 10(-8) molar, hydrocortisone was the most effective in stimulating calcium binding. Adenosine triphosphate reversed the effect of insulin and inhibited the effect of the other hormones. These studies suggest a relation between hormones and calcium with respect to membrane structure and function.