Catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase of human fat cell ghosts. Characteristics of the GMP(PNP)-liganded state.

The effects of 5'-guanylyl-imidodiphosphate (GMP(PNP)) on the catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase of human fat cell ghosts were studied. The compound increased basal and epinephrine-stimulated enzyme activity by about 300%; in addition GMP(PNP) increased hormone sensitivity by reducing the epinephrine concentration required, to produce half maximal stimulation. The rate of GMP(PNP)-induced activation was slow in onset and could be enhanced by epinephrine. The GMP(PNP)-activated state was resistant to thermal inactivation and could not be reversed by extensive washing. The application of this compound in clinical studies may be useful because of its stimulating and stabilizing action.