Induction and properties of beta-adrenergic receptors during erythroid differentiation of Friend leukemic cells.

beta-Adrenergic receptors on Friend erythroleukemic cells were identified by the use of 125I-labeled hydroxybenzylpindolol, a potent beta-adrenergic antagonist. Binding of this ligand was saturable and stereospecific. The relative orders of potency of isoproterenol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine to displace bound hydroxybenzylpindolol indicate that the Friend cells have beta 2-adrenergic receptors. After culture for 6 days in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide or hexamethylene bisacetamide, both undifferentiated and differentiated cells have a similar number of receptors (1500 per cell), but the density of beta receptors on the cell surface increases during the process of erythroid differentiation. Incubation of the Friend cells for 24 hr with high concentrations of butyric acid, dimethyl sulfoxide, or hexamethylenebisacetamide resulted in a striking increase of th number of beta-catecholamine receptors. The induction of beta-adrenergic receptors also occurred in the presence of the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate and dexamethasone.