Effects of agonist exposure on the coupling of beta 1 and beta 3 adrenergic receptors to adenylyl cyclase in isolated adipocytes.

The coupling of beta 1 and beta 3 adrenergic receptors to adenylyl cyclase was examined in membranes of isolated white adipocytes. The activation of adenylyl cyclase by isoproterenol (ISO) was biphasic. The high-affinity activation of adenylyl cyclase, which occurred at submicromolar concentrations of ISO, was mediated by beta 1 receptors, whereas low-affinity activation was mediated by beta 3 receptors. The relative activation of adenylyl cyclase by beta 3 receptors was less when ISO was used to stimulate activity, compared to when the beta 3-selective agonist BRL 37344 was used. These data indicate that both receptor subtypes can stimulate the same adenylyl cyclase in membranes of control cells, and that the activation of adenylyl cyclase by beta 1 receptors by low concentrations of catecholamines can obscure the activation by beta 3 receptors by high concentrations of catecholamines. Exposure of adipocytes to ISO at concentrations that either selectively stimulate beta 1 receptors or nonselectively stimulate both beta receptor subtypes greatly decreased the ability of beta 1, but not beta 3, receptors to activate adenylyl cyclase. In contrast, the exposure of cells to the beta 3-selective agonist BRL only slightly desensitized beta 1 receptors and did not affect beta 3 receptor activation of adenylyl cyclase. These data indicate that acute agonist exposure desensitizes beta 1, but not beta 3, receptors.