Microheterogeneity of rat parotid gland proteins after chronic treatment with isoproterenol.

Two ultrasensitive methods were employed to determine the effect of repeated in vivo stimulation with isoproterenol on the protein composition of parotid acinar cells. Silver staining showed electrophoretic banding pattern changes in a wide range of cellular proteins during and after multiple injections of the beta-adrenergic agonist. Photo-affinity labeling with [32P]-N3-cyclic AMP showed the disappearance and eventual return (after discontinuation of the injections) of the cellular cyclic AMP-binding proteins as measurable cellular components. These findings indicate that major translation-associated changes may occur in target cell protein composition both during and after hormonal stimulation.