Induction of functional beta-adrenergic receptors in HeLa cells.

HeLa cells contain beta-adrenergic receptors that are characterized by specific binding of I[3H]dihydroalprenolol, increased 3':5'-cyclic AMP production in intact cells after incubation with l-isoproterenol, and increased adenylate cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1] activity in the presence of l-isoproterenol. After cells were cultured with butyrate, the number of beta-adrenergic receptors, cyclic AMP production in intact cells, and adenylate cyclase activation by l-isoproterenol were increased severalfold over those of untreated cells. The increase involved the induction of synthesis of new receptor molecules with identical affinities for l-[3H]-dihydroalprenolol; all three processes were blocked by cycloheximide and actinomycin D. This induction was relatively specific for butyric acid and only the closely related short-chain fatty acids, propionic and valeric acids, were capable of partially inducing the same effect. In contrast to induction of beta-adrenergic binding sites, there was no increase in basal or fluoride-activated adenylate cyclase activity, indicating that the beta-adrenergic receptor and adenylate cyclase and different molecules that may be controlled separately.